The Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters in Lucknow has formally demanded an explanation from the Bahraich district police after a video showing a guard of honour being presented to a religious storyteller, Kathavachak Pundrik Goswami, on a police parade ground went viral, sparking a major controversy.
DGP's Stern Directive on Parade Ground Usage
On Thursday, the state police leadership took serious note of the incident. Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna clarified the official stance, stating that police parade grounds are reserved strictly for police training, discipline, and officially approved ceremonial functions. He emphasized that any deviation from these established norms is not permitted under any circumstances.
The explanation has been specifically sought from Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SP) Ram Nayam Singh. The controversy erupted after a 39-second video clip circulated widely on social media platforms.
Content of the Viral Video and Political Backlash
The video footage captured scenes at the Bahraich police lines where Kathavachak Pundrik Goswami had delivered a religious discourse to assembled police personnel. The visuals showed a red carpet being rolled out for the speaker, and police personnel were seen saluting him in a manner reminiscent of a formal guard of honour.
The incident quickly drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned it as a blatant misuse of police resources. He argued that when the police force is engaged in presenting such salutes, it leaves room for criminals to operate freely. Yadav claimed that instead of focusing on core law and order duties, the police were being diverted to non-essential activities.
Adding to the criticism, Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad called the event a direct attack on the constitutional principles of the state.
Bahraich Police's Defence and Subsequent Retraction
Facing intense scrutiny, the Bahraich police initially attempted to justify the event through a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Their defence centred on the mental health and well-being of police personnel.
The post stated that during rigorous police training, the intense mental and physical strain often leads to stress and depression among trainees. It cited that 28 police personnel in the district had resigned from service for various reasons, indirectly linking it to this strain. The police claimed that methods like yoga, meditation, and counselling are regularly organized at the Bahraich Police Lines for mental wellness, and the event with Pundrik Goswami was part of this initiative.
However, this justification failed to quell the controversy, and the police department later deleted the post from its official handle.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate about the use of state resources and the boundaries between official police functions and other activities, even those aimed at welfare. The explanation from SP Ram Nayam Singh is now awaited by the police headquarters.
