Kochi : The state govt has filed an affidavit in the high court stating that the circular prohibiting police officers from participating in religious ceremonies while in uniform was not intended to prohibit the practice of any religion or curtail the religious rights guaranteed to any devotee or religious denomination under the Constitution.
The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by P S Mahendra Kumar of Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram, challenging the state police chief’s circular issued on July 1.
The police force in the state has seamlessly discharged its customary, non-sectarian ceremonial duties in uniform during historic temple festivals as a symbol of state continuity and respect for heritage, according to the petitioner. He also pointed to long-standing customary practices in which police personnel participate in uniform, including the Thiruvabharanam procession to Sabarimala and certain rituals at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The affidavit filed by G Jaidev, assistant inspector general of police (policy), however, stated that police personnel shall continue to discharge all statutory duties in connection with festivals and religious events, including maintenance of law and order, crowd management, traffic regulation, security arrangements, escort duties and all other policing functions entrusted to them, as well as functions and duties that the police have traditionally performed. The restriction is confined only to participation in religious rituals or ceremonies while wearing the police uniform, except where such participation forms part of an official duty. It was also stated that the circular was issued on a complaint made by one Chandradas from Alappuzha and that the instruction is intended solely to regulate the official use of the police uniform. It neither interferes with the personal religious beliefs of police personnel nor restricts any constitutionally protected right available to them in their individual capacity, the affidavit stated.