AGRA: Following the declaration of the town of Vrindavan as an official “holy pilgrimage site” by the Uttar Pradesh government police in Mathura may soon be given new uniforms with logos on shoulder badges that have an image of Krishna. The logos will also feature the words ‘Tourism Police’.The cops will be wearing their usual rank insignia as well. “The purpose behind the logos is to make UP Police more tourist-friendly,” said Mathura senior superintendent of police Swapnil Mangain.This, some in the department said, has come after UP Police were criticised for the assault on a Swiss couple in Fatehpur Sikri by some local youths and minors. Though the police department, like other organs of the state, in accordance with the secular ideals of the Constitution, is not supposed to carry or display images of religious icons, gods or holy symbols, a proposal has been made to issue these logos, which will be stitched on the new uniforms and will be displayed.The proposal is with the office of the directorgeneral of police (DGP), though the logo that has been designed and selected seems to be final.Many see this logo as part of the “saffronisation” agenda of the UP government, which incidentally is also on a spree to paint the state capital and government buildings across the state in saffron.Talking to TOI, former DGP Brij Lal said, “Such logos should not be allowed as they can dent the secular image of the police.”National spokesperson of Congress, Vivek Bansal said, “India being a secular nation, the government should not patronize and propagate any religion.... The logo will be a violation of the Constitution.” Haji Jamiluddin Qureshi, president of Agra city unit of Congress, said such a logo was objectionable.A BJP member, who requested anonymity, said there was nothing wrong with the logo carrying the picture of Krishna. “Everyone knows Mathura and Vrindavan are revered as Krishna’s birthplace and are associated with him, so what is wrong with the logos having the picture of the Lord?” he asked. SSP Mangain said, “Just as Agra is famous for Taj Mahal, Mathura has the Banke Bihari temple, and these logos will provide a distinctive identity to the police.”