Action against Muslim police officer raises questions about selective enforcement in India
Patna: A Muslim police officer in Bihar is facing disciplinary proceedings after he was filmed participating in a Muharram procession while in uniform, triggering fresh debate over the selective enforcement of police conduct rules in Modi’s India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the action was initiated against Sub-Inspector Mustakim Khan, posted at Kanti police station in Muzaffarpur district after a video circulating on social media showed him participating in a Muharram procession earlier this week.
Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Kantesh Kumar Mishra said Khan had been served with a show-cause notice and would be transferred to the police lines, an administrative posting commonly used while departmental inquiries are pending.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Suchitra Kumari said a formal inquiry had been ordered, adding that the exact circumstances would become clear only after the investigation.
The disciplinary action has also drawn attention because repeated instances in which Hindu police officers have participated in Hindu religious events while in uniform without any publicly known disciplinary action.
One of the most notable cases occurred in January 2025 in Uttar Pradesh, when Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary was filmed carrying a ceremonial mace during a Hindu religious procession while in uniform. The video prompted criticism, including from former Indian Police Service officer Amitabh Thakur, who said Chaudhary had violated police conduct rules and called for disciplinary proceedings against him. However, no publicly confirmed show-cause notice or departmental inquiry was announced in that case.
The contrasting official responses have renewed concerns over the uniform application of police conduct rules, with observers questioning whether disciplinary standards are being applied equally to officers belonging to different religious communities in India.
