In a bid to foster a more devotee-friendly environment, policemen stationed at Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Dham complex will now don dhoti-kurtas, echoing the attire of priests.
Temple officials revealed that male officers will sport dhotis and dupattas to emulate the appearance of priests, while female officers will be attired in salwar kurtas.
Before assuming duty, these officers will undergo a comprehensive three-day training program aimed at refining their communication skills to better interact with devotees.
This initiative, previously experimented with in 2018, aims to enhance the overall devotee experience and mitigate any negative perceptions associated with traditional police uniforms.
In addition to the attire change, a “no touch” policy will be enforced for crowd management purposes.
Mohit Agrawal, Commissioner of Police, emphasized the significance of addressing devotees’ concerns regarding queue management and prayer delays, highlighting the necessity for a more amicable police presence within the complex.
Acknowledging grievances regarding devotee treatment during crowd control measures, Agrawal emphasized the need to uphold a respectful and accommodating demeanor akin to that of temple priests.
The enforcement strategy includes guiding devotees with ropes to ensure orderly movement without physical intervention, particularly during VIP movements, thus maintaining a harmonious visitor experience.
While crowd levels have subsided post the Kashi Vishwanath Dham’s renovation in 2018, reports of forceful removal from sanctum sanctorum areas by police officers have surfaced, prompting authorities to prioritize a more considerate approach to crowd management.
