Written By: Reshmi Dasgupta

News18.com

Last Updated: April 16, 2024, 16:31 IST

New Delhi, India

There is no evidence to suggest that police personnel will be inconvenienced when carrying out law and order duties dressed in kurta-pyjama or salwar-kameez. (Representative image/PTI)

A recent photo of some men and women police personnel wearing dhoti-kurta and salwar-kameez within the precincts of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya elicited indignant comments about their ‘fancy dress’. Some people evidently thought that policemen and women should only be clad in their khaki uniforms when on duty, although UP authorities clarified that the outfits were intended to make them blend in with the temple crowds to seem less obtrusive.

Both sides have a point. Law and order personnel wear uniforms not only to evoke respect and compliance from the general public but also to inculcate a sense of pride and common purpose. Being easily identifiable and therefore responsible are the major objectives of uniforms although the design and even colour vary from state to state in India. But in certain places, the presence of a lot of police personnel can create a visible and intimidating khaki wall.

That is not always a good thing though it does deter potential violators of law and order. Seeing uniformed personnel, particularly inside places of worship can seem unnecessarily menacing and unnerving. So getting law enforcers to wear dhoti-kurtas and salwar-kameez inside the Ram Mandir is a practical step to maintain security and yet not seem in-your-face to the visitors. But it is disturbing that a section of Indians apparently considers these to be ‘fancy dress’.

The implication is that such combinations are inappropriate for their jobs if not totally outlandish and comical. Yet millions of........

© News18