UP cops give guard-of-honour to religious preacher, DGP seeks explanation from Bahraich SP

The Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters has sought an explanation from a district superintendent after a video showing police recruits giving a ceremonial guard of honour to a religious preacher sparked a major political controversy and allegations of a constitutional breach.

The incident, which took place on Wednesday at the police parade ground in Bahraich, saw Kathavachak (religious preacher) Acharya Pundreek Goswami being welcomed with a red carpet and a march past by uniformed recruits, as Superintendent of Police RN Singh and other officers stood alongside. Videos of the event circulated widely on social media on Thursday.

भारत कोई मठ नहीं, बल्कि एक संवैधानिक गणराज्य है। और राज्य किसी धर्म-विशेष की जागीर नहीं। इस स्पष्ट उल्लेख के बावजूद एक कथावाचक पुंडरीक गोस्वामी को उत्तर प्रदेश पुलिस द्वारा परेड और सलामी (Guard of Honour) दी जाती है—यह सिर्फ़ एक प्रशासनिक गलती नहीं, बल्कि संविधान पर खुला हमला… pic.twitter.com/I3IiHeD73t

— Chandra Shekhar Aazad (@BhimArmyChief) December 18, 2025

Prompted by the outcry, state Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna intervened. In a statement posted on X by the UP Police, the department clarified that the police parade ground must be used strictly in accordance with prescribed norms, solely for training, discipline and official ceremonies. "In view of the violation of these prescribed norms, an explanation has been sought from the concerned Superintendent of Police," the post stated.

Earlier in the day, the Bahraich police had issued a justification for the event. In its statement, the district police said Goswami was invited to conduct counselling, meditation and yoga workshops for recruits. They claimed this was necessary as 28 recruits had recently resigned, citing depression caused by rigorous training. The police asserted that Goswami’s address was "helpful" and "relieved them from stress and helped in building their confidence and devotion towards duty".

However, the visual protocol of a salute and guard of honour drew sharp condemnation from opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the state’s BJP government of being distracted. "When the entire police machinery is busy presenting salutes, criminals in the state will roam free," he posted on X. He further charged, "Instead of curbing the rampant crime and mafia rule flourishing under BJP rule, a game of salutes is being played."

The most severe criticism came from Azad Samaj Party president and Nagina MP, Chandrashekhar, who described the act as a direct assault on constitutional principles, “India is not a monastery, but a constitutional republic. And the state is not the fiefdom of any particular religion.”

Sharing the video on X, he wrote, "This is not just an administrative error, but a direct attack on the Constitution. Salute and parade are symbols of state sovereignty. This honour is given in the name of the Constitution, the nation and the martyrs. Not to elevate the status of any storyteller, baba or religious leader."

In a detailed post, the MP alleged that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s tenure, faith was being placed above the Constitution and religion above the law. He warned of a "dangerous erosion of Constitutional values" and questioned under which official protocol the honour was given.

Citing constitutional provisions, including the Preamble and Articles 15 and 25-28, he argued the state must maintain a distance from religion. "The state has no religion," he concluded.