✨ Memories, Guardians of Justice, and the Spirit of Democracy ✨
“The police are not just an institution of power – they are the true guardians of justice, human rights, and human dignity.”
At the Hindustan Shaurya Samman 2025, organized by Hindustan Hindi, I was humbled to receive recognition on behalf of Jan Mitra Nyas, as courageous personnel from the Police, CRPF, Army, Railway Police, Traffic Police & NDRF were honored for their service.
I also underlined the urgent need for police reforms — because a reformed, accountable, and people-centered police system is essential to strengthen justice, protect the marginalized, and keep the spirit of democracy alive.
Read full reflections here 👉 Memories, Guardians of Justice, and the Spirit of Democracy
#LeninRaghuvanshi #HindustanShauryaSamman #JanMitraNyas #GuardiansOfJustice #PoliceReforms #Democracy #HumanRights #Varanasi
Memories, Guardians of Justice, and the Spirit of Democracy
Honoring Courage and Service — At
the Hindustan Shaurya Samman 2025, organized by Hindustan Hindi,
one of India’s leading newspapers, courageous personnel from the Police,
Traffic Police, CRPF, Army, Railway Police, and NDRF were recognized for their
exemplary dedication. Mohit Agarwal, ADG, Commissioner of Police, Varanasi,
felicitated the awardees. On this occasion, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi received
recognition on behalf of Jan Mitra Nyas for supporting the event, joining
dignitaries and decorated officers in celebrating the spirit of duty, humanity,
and justice.
On September 15, 2025, the Hindustan Shaurya Samman
became one of those indelible memories that transcend personal pride and speak
to the very soul of democracy. When Hindustan, one of India’s leading Hindi
newspapers, chose to honor the unsung heroes who serve society with
courage, dedication, and humanity, it was more than an event — it was a
reaffirmation of our collective conscience.
Jan Mitra Nyas was honored at the Hindustan
Shaurya Samman 2025, organized by Hindustan , one of India’s
leading newspapers, for supporting the recognition of courageous personnel from
the Police, Traffic Police, CRPF, Army, Railway Police, and NDRF. The
recognition was presented by Mohit Agarwal, ADG, Commissioner of Police,
Varanasi, in the presence of dignitaries, celebrating the spirit of
service, courage, and humanity.
At the Hindustan Shaurya Samman
2025, the graceful performance of a Kathak dancer and the inspiring
patriotic presentation by children paid heartfelt tribute to the courageous
personnel of the Police, CRPF, Army, Railway Police, Traffic Police, and
NDRF — agencies upholding the rule of law with dedication and sacrifice.
Growing up in the alleys of Varanasi, I remember vividly how
the sight of a police uniform evoked fear among ordinary people. It was not the
respectful fear of discipline, but a deeper anxiety rooted in colonial legacy.
For most, the police were not protectors of public trust but instruments of
control.
As a child, I often wondered: could this image ever change?
Could the police transform from being an extension of authority to becoming
true guardians of dignity and justice?
Advocate Raghuvanshi Chegvewara
(Guddu ji), recipient of the Jan Mitra Award 2025, graced the Hindustan
Shaurya Samman 2025 as an invited guest, accompanied by Advocate Ashish
Pandey and renowned scholar Rakesh Ranjan Tripathi. Together, they joined
dignitaries and officers in honoring the courageous personnel of Police, CRPF,
Army, Railway Police, Traffic Police, and NDRF.
My journey into human rights activism gradually provided
clarity. I came to realize that the police are more than a state
apparatus — they are an inseparable heartbeat of democracy. They are the first
responders, the custodians of law, and, at times of crisis, the defenders of
human dignity itself.
The Hindustan Shaurya Samman 2025, organized by Hindustan Hindi, one of India’s leading newspapers, honored the courageous service of Police, CRPF, Army, Railway Police, Traffic Police, and NDRF personnel. Jan Mitra Nyas was recognized for its support of the event, with the honor presented by Mohit Agarwal, ADG, Commissioner of Police, Varanasi. The ceremony also featured cultural tributes by children and a Kathak dancer, with dignitaries, advocates, and scholars — including Advocate Chegvewara, Advocate Ashish Pandey, and Rakesh Ranjan Tripathi — joining to celebrate the spirit of service, courage, and humanity.
We often call the media the “fourth pillar of democracy.”
But Hindustan has exemplified what this role truly means. With integrity
and sensitivity, it has not merely reported news, but elevated the spirit of
service and valor that sustains our society.
The Shaurya Samman was not only a felicitation
ceremony — it was a public statement that true heroes are those who serve
selflessly. Be it the fearless soldiers of Kargil, officers tackling
cybercrime, NDRF rescuers during disasters, or changemakers in education and
healthcare — Hindustan Hindi brought them together on a common stage.
This was democracy in action, where service is valued above status, and
sacrifice is celebrated above power.
Dignity to the police is a way to protect Human Rights
Remembering the Need for Reform
Amid the applause and the atmosphere of pride, I felt
compelled to stress a reality we cannot ignore: police reforms in India are
long overdue.
From the National Police Commission (1977–81) to the Ribeiro
Committee (1998), the Padmanabhaiah Committee (2000), the Malimath Committee
(2002–03), and the Supreme Court’s Prakash Singh judgment (2006), the
message has been consistent — India needs a police force that is accountable,
professional, and free from illegitimate political interference.
Key reforms are urgent:
- Accountability
& Oversight: Independent mechanisms like Police Complaints
Authorities.
- Separation
of Powers: Dividing law-and-order duties from crime investigation.
- Professionalization:
Merit-based recruitment, training in forensic and digital sciences.
- Community
Policing: Reviving beat systems and deepening trust with citizens.
Hindustan deserves recognition for giving these
issues space in its coverage, ensuring that the demand for reform does not fade
away in the noise of daily news.
Audience
including dignitaries, advocates, scholars, and police personnel attentively
participating in the Hindustan Shaurya Samman 2025, a celebration of
courage, service, and dedication to the rule of law.
Personal Encounters and Lessons Learned
Through Jan
Mitra Nyas and PVCHR,
I have often stood at the crossroads of marginalized communities and state
institutions. In these intersections, the police have always been
present — sometimes as an obstacle, sometimes as an ally, but always as an
indispensable force.
I recall many instances: a Dalit woman whose cries for
justice were answered by a compassionate officer, a child tirelessly searched
for by police personnel, or the sight of officers risking their own lives
during floods and disasters. Each encounter was a reminder that reform is not
only about structural change; it is also about nurturing the humanity of
individuals in uniform.
Democracy and the Meeting of Civil Society with
the State
The Shaurya Samman was, in essence, a celebration of
dialogue between civil society and state institutions. Such dialogue is the
lifeblood of democracy.
Media, civil society, and the state can only remain strong
when they both critique and cooperate with one another. Hindustan has
struck this delicate balance. It has questioned the powerful when necessary,
but it has also dignified those who serve with courage. This equilibrium
distinguishes responsible journalism at a global level.
Sources of Inspiration
As the Kargil heroes were honored at the event, I thought of
my grandfather, a Gandhian freedom fighter who believed that sacrifice was the
highest form of patriotism. His spirit lived in those decorated veterans who
stood before us — symbols of courage, resilience, and unflinching commitment to
the nation.
Equally moving was the recognition of the father of Shivangi
Singh, India’s first woman Rafale pilot. That honor symbolized a larger
cultural shift: the recognition that gender equality is central to national
pride. These stories are not just about individuals — they are blueprints for a
more inclusive India.
A Global Perspective
In my years as a human rights defender, I have often been
asked at international forums: what is the greatest strength of Indian
democracy?
My answer remains the same: our strength lies in
diversity, in service, and in our spirit of inclusion.
Hindustan has brought these strengths to the
forefront, reminding us and the world that India’s democracy does not survive
merely on institutions, but on the values of humanity and justice that animate
them.
At a time when media globally faces criticism for
sensationalism and bias, Hindustan has chosen responsibility over noise.
By honoring unsung heroes and giving voice to stories of courage, it has
elevated journalism to the standards of global excellence.
The Road Ahead
The memory of that evening is not just a moment of
recognition; it is a signpost pointing to the future. It reminds us that the
police, civil society, and media must work together to build a democracy free
of fear and discrimination.
The road ahead requires:
- Genuine
implementation of long-pending police reforms.
- Mechanisms
of accountability that empower citizens.
- Deepened
engagement between communities and law enforcement.
- Media
that continues to amplify stories of courage, reform, and inclusion.
If these steps are taken, India will not only strengthen its
democracy but also set an example for the world.
The Hindustan Shaurya Samman teaches us that
heroes are not made only on battlefields. They emerge every day — in a police
officer managing a chaotic crowd, a teacher shaping young minds, a doctor
saving lives, or a social activist defending dignity.
By honoring these individuals, Hindustan Hindi has
reaffirmed the values of our Constitution and reminded us that memories are
not just records of the past, but beacons that illuminate the path to the
future.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Hindustan for creating a platform that celebrates courage and service, while strengthening the moral fabric of democracy. In a world struggling with cynicism, this celebration was a powerful reminder that humanity, dignity, and justice are not abstract ideals — they are lived realities, nurtured every day by countless unsung heroes.
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