Police officer kneels down before CM Yogi, photos go viral
What's the story
Photographs of a police officer, Pravin Singh, in uniform kneeling down at the feet of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, on the occasion of Guru Purnima at the Gorakhnath temple in the state's Gorakhpur district, went viral on social media. Adityanath is also "Peethadishwar" and "Mahant" (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Math. Singh is posted as Circle Officer, Gorakhnath in Gorakhpur. Here's more.
Statement
Photographs of the officer forced him to clarify his stand
"I was deployed at the temple for security duty and I went there after completing my work. Out of my devotion and after removing my belt, cap, and other accessories and covering my head with a handkerchief, I took blessings of Peethadishwar Mahant Yogi Adityanath," Pravin Singh said. "I always pray at the temple for serving the country honestly and with dedication," he explained.
Quote
Police officer needs to uphold the dignity of his uniform
IG, Civil Defense, Amitabh Thakur (IPS) said that the police manual is not very clear on this count. "This is a grey area and can be interpreted either way. But, a police officer needs to uphold the dignity of his uniform," Thakur pointed out.