A video of the incident triggers a backlash on social media, with many accusing the police of overreach and unnecessary moral policing in the name of women's safety
NEW DELHI — A recent incident of ‘moral policing’ by a senior police official in eastern Uttar Pradesh’s Mau District has sparked widespread criticism resulting in the transfer of the concerned official.
Station House Officer (SHO) Manju Singh was transferred after she stopped a girl and her brother at a temple park in Mau district, advising the girl not to venture out in public places without a “guardian”.
The incident on Monday, captured on video, shows Singh questioning the youth and the two girls, who had visited the park from the neighbouring Ghazipur district. Suspecting a relationship between them, she asked for the phone number of the girls’ father, spoke to him to verify her identity, and advised the girl not to roam in public places without a guardian.
The video triggered a backlash on social media, with many accusing the police of overreach and unnecessary moral policing in the name of women’s safety. Mau Superintendent of Police Elamaran G stated that Singh had been transferred and that police personnel would be sensitised on their behaviour with the public.
Additional Superintendent of Police Anup Kumar cautioned against police personnel giving unwarranted advice or acting beyond their mandate, stating that no offence had been committed and that couples visiting public places couldn’t be stopped without valid grounds.
“The police will be sensitised across the district. They should not do any work beyond their jurisdiction. A warning will be issued from my office,” Kumar said.
The incident highlights widespread concerns over moral policing and the need for police to respect individuals’ autonomy and rights.
