Male policemen wear dhoti-kurta while women policemen wear salwar kurta.

New Delhi:

The deployment of policemen dressed as priests at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi sparked controversy, drawing sharp criticism from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The 50-year-old warned that the decision to allow police officers to wear anything other than uniform posed a huge safety risk.

“According to which ‘police manual’ is it correct for police officers to dress as priests? Anyone who gives such an order should be suspended. What if tomorrow a ‘thag’ (scammer) takes advantage of this and robs innocent people?” North University government and administration’s answer? It should be condemned! ” Akhilesh Yadav wrote on X.

According to which Police Manual, is it correct for police officers to dress as priests? Persons issuing such orders shall be suspended from service. If thugs take advantage of this and rob innocent people tomorrow, what reply will the Uttar Pradesh government give?

Reprehensible! pic.twitter.com/BQUFmb7xAA

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) April 11, 2024

The Samajwadi Party chief shared a news clip in which the police can be seen wearing traditional attire. Male policemen wear dhoti-kurta while women policemen wear salwar kurta.

Varanasi police chief Mohit Agarwal defended the controversial measure, citing concerns about crowd management and the welfare of devotees. He believes the traditional attire of priests facilitates more positive interactions with pilgrims, minimizing the risk of riots or disturbances.

“The duties in temples are different from other places as the police have to manage different types of crowds here. The crowds here are not to create law and order problems. The police are here to ensure that people have easy darshan and help and guide them,” according to news agency PTI Mr. Agarwal was quoted as saying.

“Writers get hurt if they are pushed by the police, and if the priest does the same, they are treated in a positive manner. Following the no-contact policy, the police are deployed wearing the attire of the priest,” he added.