The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Saturday (April 26, 2025) criticised a directive issued by the State’s Director General of Police (DGP), Kailash Makwana, that mandates police personnel in uniform to salute Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) at government functions and general meetings.
As per media reports, the order dated April 24, which has since been reviewed by The Hindu, also instructs police officers to give “utmost priority” to public representatives when they visit police stations, and to ensure timely resolution of their concerns. Furthermore, it advises personnel to respond with “polite and proper” replies when contacted over the phone by MPs and MLAs on public issues.
Reacting to the order, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari said the directive amounted to an “insult to the police uniform” and alleged that the morale of the State police was already low due to “undue political pressure”.
“It has often been seen that leaders of the ruling party attack and insult the uniform. Instead of addressing issues such as staff shortages – particularly of women personnel – and the lack of modern training and equipment, the government is prioritising deference to elected representatives,” Mr. Patwari said in a video statement.
He directly criticised Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who also holds the Home portfolio, for issuing what he described as an “undemocratic, arrogant and insulting” circular. “How can saluting MPs and MLAs every day solve the State’s law and order issues?” he asked, demanding that the directive be withdrawn immediately.
Mr. Patwari further alleged that such instructions could allow ruling party legislators to pressure the police into protecting anti-social elements. “How will the police function independently in such a scenario?” he said.
While a senior police officer declined to comment on the issue, DGP Makwana was unavailable for response despite multiple attempts by The Hindu.
Later in the day, Mr. Yadav said it was a “tradition and (a) rule” to give due respect to public representatives and that the directions were issued as the “protocols of the previous governments were not being followed properly”.
“Chief Minister Yadav has said that taking a good decision in Madhya Pradesh, necessary instructions have been issued to respect the elected public representatives. These instructions were set keeping in mind the protocols of the previous governments, which were not being followed properly knowingly or unknowingly, now instructions have been issued again and asked to implement the proper system,” the government said in a statement, quoting the Chief Minister following a review visit to the State Police Headquarters in Bhopal.
“There is both a tradition and rule to give due respect to the public representatives. The State government is committed to seriously follow the rules in this regard,” the statement read.
