Hyderabad: Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Telangana cadre, is set to issue a formal memorandum prohibiting police personnel from dancing or participating in entertainment activities while wearing their uniforms, following a series of videos showing officers celebrating at public and ceremonial events.
According to media reports, oral instructions have already been communicated to police unit heads to discourage the practice. The proposed memorandum is expected to formalise the restrictions, with officials emphasising the discipline and decorum associated with police service.
The development follows videos of uniformed personnel dancing after the successful completion of Hyderabad’s Ganesh immersion arrangements and footage from a farewell event at Balapur police station.
Ganesh Immersion Celebrations Bring Police Dancing Videos Into Focus
The issue gained attention after videos circulated on social media showing Hyderabad police personnel celebrating following the conclusion of the Ganesh immersion procession around Hussainsagar Lake in September.
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Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar joined other personnel in the celebrations after the immersion arrangements concluded peacefully. Senior officers and police staff were seen dancing in videos shared online.
The celebrations followed an extensive policing operation involving crowd management, security and traffic arrangements during the festival. Sajjanar said more than 20,000 idols had been immersed without any untoward incident.
Balapur Inspector’s Farewell Also Draws Attention
Another video that attracted attention reportedly showed a farewell organised for Inspector Rama Krishna at Balapur police station.
The inspector, who had been transferred around 10 days earlier, was given a ceremonial send-off in an open-top jeep as flower petals were showered. Women police personnel were seen dancing during the farewell.
The footage added to the discussion within police circles about officers participating in dances and entertainment activities while wearing their official uniforms.
DGP’s Instructions Focus on Uniformed-Service Discipline
Police sources cited in media reports said unit heads had already been instructed orally to stop the practice. The formal memorandum is expected to set out the restrictions more clearly.
The reported move follows similar instances at public celebrations and festivals in recent years, including Ganesh immersion events in Hyderabad and celebrations after the Medaram festival.
The underlying concern, according to reports, is that the police uniform represents professional responsibility, authority and discipline. The proposed restrictions are intended to ensure that personnel maintain the standards expected of a uniformed service.
Formal Memo Expected to Clarify Restrictions
The proposed memorandum is expected to formalise the instructions already communicated to police unit heads. Reports have indicated that violations could invite disciplinary action, although the precise wording and scope of the final memo will determine how the restrictions are implemented.
The move places renewed focus on expectations surrounding the use of the police uniform at public events and celebrations. Further details will depend on the formal instructions issued by the Telangana police leadership.
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