Action will be taken against uniformed police personnel for applying a tilak !

Bihar’s Director General of Police issues a warning.

Pataliputra (Bihar) – Bihar State’s Director General of Police Vinay Kumar has warned all police personnel in the State that disciplinary action will be taken if uniformed police apply a tilak or display any kind of religious symbol on their forehead while on duty.

He further stated that wearing caps and belts is mandatory for police personnel, and departmental action will be taken against those who fail to comply. Uniformed police are not permitted to wear rings on all ten fingers. Women police personnel have also been prohibited from excessive makeup and wearing jewellery while on duty. It has been stated that the objective behind these measures is to maintain uniformity and a professional image in the police force.

Objections raised by several organisations !

Rajkumar Chaube, National Convenor of the Vishwamitra Sena organisation, has protested against this order, stating that it is against the right to religious freedom. He said that tilak and chandan are symbols of faith and Sanatan tradition, and banning them is inappropriate.

What does the rule state ?

According to the Bihar Police Manual 1978, any police personnel on duty is not permitted to display any symbol, mark, or attire associated with any religion. This includes the tilak or chandan in Hindu Dharma and the beard maintained as per Islam; both are equally prohibited. The primary objective of this rule is that a police officer in uniform should not appear as a representative of any particular religion or community, but rather as a representative of the State. However, the Sikh religion has been given a specific exemption.

It is mandatory to obtain prior written permission from a senior officer to apply a tilak during Navratri or to grow a beard during Ramazan. Doing so without permission will be considered a violation of the rules.

Editorial Perspective

• 1. Why do those calling themselves ‘secular’ police always assert dominance only over Hindus ? When will secularism be reflected in their conduct, and not merely in their uniform ?
• 2. The Karnataka High Court recently observed that Bharatiya culture and Hindu Dharma are the soul of India. In such a context, what else can such decisions be called if not arbitrary ? It is also true that such directives arise due to a lack of self-identity among Hindus.