Priets’ attire is seen on Varanasi police at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Akhilesh Yadav calls this behaviour “condemnable.”

Police at the ‘Gribha Griha’ of Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath temple are required to wear traditional clothing instead of their police uniform, according to an order issued by the Uttar Pradesh government that the Samajwadi Party opposed. Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the party, insisted that the officer who gave the order be suspended. Notably, Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal ordered the male and female police officers stationed at the temple to dress as priests.

According to PTI, female staff members were requested to wear salwar-kurta, while male officials were instructed to wear dhoti-kurta. Prior to this, Police Commissioner Agarwal informed reporters that those who go great distances to pay their respects have respect for the priests and often suffer injuries if police officers force them ahead.

The SP leader expressed worry over the new practice on X, previously Twitter, writing: “Which ‘police handbook’ says it’s okay for cops to look like priests? Such commands should be suspended by those who issue them. What response would the UP government and administration provide if tomorrow some ‘thug’ (fraudster) takes advantage of this and plunders the innocent public? Reprehensible!”

Akhilesh also uploaded a 35-second news report video on his account.

“Police work at the temple differs from other places since they have to deal with a variety of crowd types here. This populace opposes interfering with law and order. As Police Chief Agarwal had previously said, “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 favourably. Police officers are being deployed in priestly garb in accordance with the no-touch policy,” he said.