india

Updated: Jun 05, 2020 20:35 IST

A viral video purportedly showing Shamli superintendent of police (SP) Ajay Kumar massaging the feet of a kanwar pilgrim at a health camp here triggered a controversy on Saturday.

An official said Kumar was invited to inaugurate the naturopathy medical camp organised for kanwariyas in Shamli on Friday night. Kumar said over the phone: “The canvas of modern policing is quite large... Democratic policing is a set of investigation, prevention of crime, security, service, public participation and community policing.”

“It is wrong to keep a distance with public in policing. Better policing needs inclusion of sensitivity and human values”, he said, adding, “When constables, sub inspectors and inspectors can help injured people, why can’t an SP provide relief to the weak?”

Political analyst Sudhir Panwar described the act as a “complete surrender” before the state. “They have been working to fulfill the agenda of the state government and the line between the party and the administration has been blurred,” he said.