Indian Muslim cop faces inquiry after joining Muharram procession in uniform
Disciplinary action against Bihar officer has renewed scrutiny over enforcement of police conduct rules, as Hindu officers participating in religious processions have often avoided similar action
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Muslim police officer in India’s eastern state of Bihar is facing disciplinary proceedings after he was filmed participating in a Muharram procession while in uniform.
The move has revived debate over the consistent enforcement of police conduct rules amid repeated instances of Hindu officers taking part in religious events without similar action.
The action was taken against Sub-Inspector Mustakim Khan, who is posted at Kanti police station in Muzaffarpur district, about 70 kilometers north of the state capital Patna. According to the India media, a video circulating on social media showed Khan brandishing a ceremonial sword during 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 investigation had been ordered, adding that the exact circumstances would become clear only after the inquiry.
Police officers in India are generally expected to maintain religious neutrality while on duty and in uniform, with service rules discouraging conduct that could create the perception of official endorsement of any religion.
The disciplinary action has also drawn attention because similar incidents involving Hindu police officers participating in Hindu religious processions have often not resulted in publicly known disciplinary proceedings.
One of the most prominent examples occurred in January 2025 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary, a senior police officer and former Olympic wrestler, 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 argued that Chaudhary had violated police conduct rules and called for disciplinary action.
However, no publicly confirmed show-cause notice or departmental inquiry was announced against Chaudhary. He remained in his post for several months before being transferred in May 2025 as part of what authorities described as a routine administrative reshuffle rather than disciplinary action.
The differing responses have renewed questions over whether police conduct rules are enforced uniformly when officers participate in religious events.
While the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh incidents occurred under different state governments, police administrations and chains of command, the contrasting disciplinary responses have prompted fresh scrutiny over the consistency with which such rules are applied.
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