"Is Khaki Disrespectful": Criticism Over Commissioner's Remark On Police In Priest Attire (Photo on X Hiralal Yadav @HiralalCPIM)

Following the UP police”s strange move to dress police in priest-like attire at temple, the action has been drawing criticism from public. The photo of the police in priest attire wearing dhoti-kurta and tilak while on duty at Kashi Vishwanath temple at Varanasi had grabbed headlines recently. The Hindu Deputy Editor Vijaita Singh questioning the police commissioner”s clarification for the new initiative asked that if “Khaki disrespectful.”

Sharing the news article, Vijaita Singh cited the Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal”s justification that the police need to ensure that the devotees and VIPs feel respected. “We need to ensure that devotees feel respected, especially during times of large gatherings and visits of VIPs,” the commissioner had said about the trial run of the new measure.

“Is Khaki disrespectful? Is the police to perform its duty or impress the crowd?,” the journalist asked on her social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

We need to ensure that devotees and VIPs feel respected: Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal.
Is Khaki disrespectful?
Is the police to perform its duty or impress the crowd? pic.twitter.com/dMwKU8BV9X

— Vijaita Singh (@vijaita) April 13, 2024

Another journalist Rohini Singh sharing the twitter post of Vijaita Singh sarcastically asked, “What next? IAS officers dressed as fakirs to make public feel respected?”

The Varanasi police had earlier this week ordered the police stationed at the gate of the temple to wear dhoti, and kurta and sport a tilak in their forehead. According to the police, the measures were aimed at creating a more welcoming environment at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

As per Commissioner Agarwal, the move has been rolled out as a trial run which will be for 15 days. The initiative will be reviewed after that, the Commissioner said.

However, the move has invited criticism from different social spectrums and opposition. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav questioned the police move saying that according to which police manual is it correct for policemen to be dressed as priests?

“Those who give such orders should be suspended. If tomorrow any thug takes advantage of this and loots the innocent public, then what answer will the UP government and administration give? Condemnable!” the former Chief Minister asked in his post on X.