Guard of honour row: UP Police says kathavachak called to boost morale of depressed recruits, DGP seeks explanation

Bahraich: Amid a political controversy in Uttar Pradesh over videos of police recruits giving a "guard of honour" to a kathavachak (religious preacher), the UP Director General of Police (DGP) has sought an explanation from the Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SSP) over the incident that has caused a stir within the Uttar Pradesh police department.

Pundarik Goswami, a preacher from Vrindavan, was accorded a guard of honour by police recruits in November at the Police Lines in Bahraich where a Bhagwat Katha was organised during the training of police personnel. The preacher was given a salute in the presence of the Superintendent of Police Ram Nayan Singh.

Political row over police salute to kathavachak

Several videos of the programme have gone viral on social media, evoking sharp reactions from Opposition. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Azad Samaj Party president and MP Chandrashekhar hit out at the BJP-led UP government over a ‘kathavachak’ being given a red carpet welcome, parade, and salute by policemen.

DGP seeks Bahraich SP's explanation

Taking note of the incident after the backlash, DGP Rajeev Krishna has asked SP RN Singh to provide an explanation over "unauthorised use of the police parade ground”. An official statement issued by the DGP's office states that action has been initiated regarding the unauthorised use of the police parade ground during an event in Bahraich.

The DGP further said that police parade ground can only be used for police training, disciplinary purposes, and authorised government functions in accordance with prescribed norms. "In view of the violation of these prescribed norms, an explanation has been sought from the concerned Superintendent of Police,” UP Police posted on X, Thursday evening.

'Preacher was invited for counselling of recruits resigning over depression'

 The Bahraich police also issued a clarification on Thursday evening, justifying the march past for the religious preacher. The police said that the preacher was invited for counselling, holding meditation and Yoga sessions for recruits since 28 of them had resigned, due to depression caused by rigorous mental and physical stress while going through the police training.

The Bahraich police also claimed that Goswami’s "motivational address" boosted the morale of the police trainees, and  "relieved them from stress, and helped in building their confidence and devotion towards duty”. 

The official statement issued by the Bahraich Police states: "During police training, due to the rigorous mental and physical exertion, 28 police personnel in the district resigned from the police service on various grounds, including mental depression. To prevent mental depression among police personnel due to the strenuous training and to boost their morale, yoga, meditation, and counseling are regularly organised at the Police Lines in Bahraich. These sessions aim to help build confidence and dedication towards duty in the trainees and to address the mental health issues. As part of this initiative, Acharya Pundarik Goswami was invited to deliver a motivational address."

The statement further said the speech delivered by the preacher on the "sense of duty and remaining steadfast on the path of national service with integrity even in challenging circumstances" proved effective in "alleviating depression" and inspiring the trainee police personnel. "A qualitative improvement in the morale of the police trainees is evident as a result of this motivational address."