Sabarimala Ayyappa deeksha: No uniform exception for Hyd cops, says Commissioner

A circular by Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat, reiterating that police officers cannot shun their police uniform and footwear to observe 'Ayyappa Deeksha' while on duty, has kicked up a row. Ayyappa devotees who observe Deeksha wear a black dress, shun footwear and avoid cutting their hair during a 41-day austerity period before undertaking a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The Commissioner on November 1, in an internal circular notified the policemen not to wear the black dress while on duty. Stating that he had received several requests from policemen on the issue over the past few days, he said that he could not grant permission to officers on duty, as the police uniform was mandatory.“Permission cannot be accorded to police personnel to perform duties without wearing prescribed uniform, shoes and other clothing. If any of the personnel desires to observe Deeksha of Swamy Ayyappa, they can apply for leave to do so and no permission can be accorded to any member of disciplined force like police,” the memo stated. It further said, “One can apply for leave up to two months to perform rituals, if any, subject to the condition that such permission shall be without detriment to the official duties.” However, the memo has not gone down well with the BJP, which has accused the Commissioner of 'religious discrimination'. Goshamahal BJP MLA T Raja Singh through a video on Wednesday slammed the decision and accused the Commissioner of being discriminatary against Hindus.“During Ramzan didn’t you think of releasing such a memo? They (Muslims) too perform Roza (fasting). Why there is separate law for them and separate law for Hindus? Why are you creating such divisions? During Ramzan give Muslims the freedom to observe Roza and similarly for the Hindu officials there should be freedom to observe their rituals. Why separate laws for them and us -- is this justice? Under whose direction did you issue such a memo? Did the Chief Minister give you such orders or the AIMIM party?” he asked.