English
Varanasi: Police personnel stationed at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, are set to don a more devotee-friendly attire. Male officers will be clad in dhoti and a dupatta (shawl) resembling priests, while female officers will wear salwar kurta. This strategic move aims to create a welcoming atmosphere and mitigate negative perceptions linked to traditional police uniforms.
Before their deployment, these officers will undergo a comprehensive three-day training program focusing on enhancing their soft skills in communicating with devotees. The move is designed to improve the devotee experience and avoid negative perceptions associated with police uniforms.
In a bid to streamline crowd control measures, a ‘no touch’ policy will be enforced. This approach aims to uphold respect and dignity among devotees while managing crowds efficiently. Commissioner of Police, Mohit Agrawal, emphasized the importance of respecting devotees’ sentiments and cultivating a harmonious environment within the complex. He said that devotees often felt disrespected by the way the police handled crowds. He noted that devotees were more accepting of similar actions from temple priests.
“A major issue arises when devotees are made to wait in long queues for darshan. This delays their darshan (prayer offering) and frustrates others waiting in line. To address the situation and create a friendlier police image, authorities have opted for a “khaki-free” inner sanctum,” he said.
Agrawal added that they are also finding ways to improve the image of police involved in crowd control and ensure a pleasant visitor experience.
Officers will not physically move devotees or disrupt queues when creating a passage for VIP movements. Instead, they will use ropes to guide devotees in other directions without any physical contact, he said.
While crowds were lower in 2018 compared to the past two years after the Kashi Vishwanath Dham’s renovation, complaints regarding forceful removal from the sanctum sanctorum or its doors by police officers have emerged.
An experiment in this regard was held in 2018 also.
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