Police saluted storyteller Pundarik Goswami in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.
Controversy has arisen over giving guard of honor to story writer Pundarik Goswami in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. He was welcomed at the Police Parade Ground in Bahraich. Police saluted under the leadership of SP. After this the political temperature has risen. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has raised questions on this. MP Chandrashekhar has called it an insult to Baba Saheb Ambedkar. After the video went viral on social media, the matter gained momentum and the police department came into action.
In this entire matter, DGP has summoned the SP of Bahraich. It has also been said on the X handle of UP Police that the matter will be taken into cognizance. Now the question is what is the process of guard of honour, does the police have the right to salute? The rule of giving salute to whom in India?
What is Guard of Honor?
Guard of Honor is a military/police honor given by the nation/state to a special person or on a special occasion. This honor has special significance in India because it is given to selected personalities. If we understand in simple language, when the soldiers of army, police or paramilitary force form a line and salute as per a fixed protocol, it is called guard of honour.The protocol of Guard of Honor is decided by the Central Government. There are proper rules for this also.
What’s happening in Uttar Pradesh?
Police in Bahraich gave a full guard of honor red carpet, salute, parade inspection to religious storyteller Pundrik Goswami.
Which article of the Constitution allows this? Which section of the UP Police Act? Where in Police pic.twitter.com/AO3C5vjNbm
— AmbedkariteIND (@AmbedkariteLk) December 18, 2025
Does the police have the right to salute?
The rule says that the police generally do not give guard of honor on the arrival or departure of any special guest or on any special occasion. Only the army provides the guard of honour. In such a situation when the army is not present then the police can give the salute. However, for this also the approval of the Ministry of External Affairs or the State Government is necessary.
Who is given the salute?
In India, there is a rule to salute only a few selected personalities. Since he holds the highest constitutional post in the country, there is a tradition of giving this honor to the President of India while assuming office and returning from a foreign trip. The Prime Minister is saluted on special occasions like Republic Day or Independence Day. Apart from this, salute is given to the Vice President.
The Governor is saluted on his assumption of office or on leaving office or on special occasions. There is a rule of giving salute before the last journey of the mortal remains of martyred soldiers.Apart from this, when the Head of State, Prime Minister or high level foreign guests of any country reach India, they are given this honour. In this way, there is a tradition of giving this honor before the last journey of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, special guests or martyred soldiers.
UP Police replied
The Director General of Police has taken cognizance of the unauthorized use of the Police Parade Ground in a program organized in Bahraich district. It is mandatory to use the Police Parade Ground only for police training, discipline and official functions as per the prescribed standards. set standards
— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) December 18, 2025
Akhilesh cornered BJP
In this entire matter, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has cornered the BJP. He wrote in his post on The police in Uttar Pradesh is not only failing in its work, it is not doing its assigned work but is wasting its limited capabilities and space.
When the entire police department will be busy in saluting, the criminals of the state will remain happy. The police in Uttar Pradesh is not only failing in its work, it is not doing its assigned work but is wasting its limited capabilities and space.
When the entire police department will be busy in saluting, the criminals of the state will remain happy. The police in Uttar Pradesh is not only failing in its work, it is not doing its assigned work but is wasting its limited capabilities and space.
The rampant crime and mafia rule flourishing in Uttar Pradesh under BJP rule will be curbed. pic.twitter.com/MBxei5liXB
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) December 18, 2025
He wrote, instead of curbing the rampant crime and mafia rule flourishing in Uttar Pradesh under BJP rule, the game of Salaam-Salaam is being played. Is there anyone taking cognizance of this incident or is he also involved in the parade. If BJP goes, the police will be able to do the right thing.
Chandrashekhar raised questions?
India is not a monastery, but a constitutional republic. And the state is not the property of any particular religion.
Despite this clear mention, one of the narrators, Pundarik Goswami, is given a parade and a guard of honor by the Uttar Pradesh Police—this is not just an administrative mistake, but a blatant attack on the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/I3IiHeD73t
— Chandra Shekhar Azad (@BhimArmyChief) December 18, 2025
MP Chandrashekhar Azad has written in his post, the administration of Uttar Pradesh is no longer accountable to the Constitution, but is bowing before religious power. This points to a dangerous tradition, where the state is gradually abandoning its constitutional character.
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