Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has sharply criticized the deployment of police officers posing as priests at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, sparking controversy. The 50-year-old issued a warning, stating that there is a significant security risk associated with permitting police officers to wear anything other than their uniforms.

“Which ‘police manual’ says that police officers should dress like priests? Such orders should be suspended from those who give them. If tomorrow any ‘thag’ (fraudster) takes advantage of this and loots the innocent public, then what will the UP government and administration answer? Condemnable!” Akhilesh Yadav wrote on X.

The leader of the Samajwadi Party posted a news clip showing police officers dressed traditionally. Women police officers wear salwar kurtas, while male officers wear dhoti-kurtas.

However, Mohit Agarwal, the commissioner of Varanasi police, defended the contentious move by raising worries about crowd control and devotee safety. He maintained that priests’ traditional garb encourages more cordial interactions with pilgrims and reduces the possibility of disturbance or agitation.

“Police work in temples differs from other locations because they have to deal with a distinct kind of crowd. This crowd opposes causing issues with law and order. According to news agency PTI, Agarwal stated, “The police are here to ensure that people have easy darshan and to help and guide them.”

“When police officers push devotees, it hurts them; when priests do the same, they see it positively. Police officers are being dressed as priests in accordance with the no-touch policy,” he continued.