Patna: Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar has issued fresh instructions to strengthen discipline and maintain the dignity of the police uniform, prohibiting personnel from displaying religious marks or wearing excessive personal ornaments while on duty.
Directive Triggers Debate
The directive has sparked political and social discussion across the state. Speaking to reporters, Vinay Kumar stated that police officers in uniform must avoid applying chandan or tilak, even briefly. He emphasized that if an officer is in uniform for even one second, they cannot apply tilak or chandan. He further clarified that wearing rings on all ten fingers or any decorative ornamentation is not permitted with the official attire.
Specific Guidelines for Female Officers
For female officers, the rules ban prominent jewelry such as heavy ear, nose, or mouth ornaments made of gold or diamonds. A limited allowance exists for minimal, symbolic items. Women constables have been asked to avoid visible accessories like bangles, kangans, mangalsutras, nose rings, or jhumkas over the uniform, along with noticeable makeup.
Uniform Compliance and Enforcement
The guidelines also require officers to wear the complete prescribed uniform, including the official cap and belt, at all times during duty. These measures are part of a broader effort by police headquarters to enforce proper conduct. In recent weeks, approximately 40 to 50 personnel were suspended for creating and sharing social media reels while in uniform, raising concerns over misuse of official appearance.
Mixed Reactions
The move has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters see it as necessary for professionalism and neutrality, while some have questioned the absence of detailed written orders and whether the rules are applied uniformly.
BJP leader and former MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul opposed the directive, arguing that similar restrictions should apply to all visible religious practices. He termed it appeasement politics and cautioned against targeting any faith.
The Vishwamitra Sena also criticized the move. National convenor Rajkumar Chaubey said the chandan tilak has deep significance in Sanatan tradition and stressed that the Constitution protects religious freedom. He urged the state government to clarify the directive.
Police officials stated that the instructions aim to preserve uniformity, discipline, and the secular character of the force, without targeting any community.
