No Alcohol, No Meat: Strict Rules for Police Deployment at Prayagraj Maha Kumbh

Lucknow- The Kumbh Mela is set to happen in 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The Mela will commence on Paush-Poornima on January 13 conclude with Maha Shivratri on February 26.

The Yogi government is making extensive preparations for the upcoming event, which is being termed as a grand cultural extravaganza. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed that every effort be made to ensure that the upcoming Prayagraj Maha Kumbh sets high standards in cleanliness, convenience, and security. He stated that Maha Kumbh 2025 is a unique opportunity to showcase the essence of the eternal Indian culture to the entire world.

Police personnel who consume alcohol or eat meat will not be assigned duty at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. The DGP Headquarters has instructed all Commissionerates and Ranges to ensure this when selecting the police force to be deployed to Prayagraj.

It was further emphasized that the officers selected must have integrity, a good reputation, and exemplary behavior and conduct. Additionally, guidelines regarding the age limit of the personnel have been issued.

According to a letter from ADG Establishment Sanjay Singhal at the DGP Headquarters, police constables sent for Maha Kumbh duty should generally be below 40 years of age. Similarly, head constables should not be over 50 years old, and sub-inspectors and inspectors should not exceed 55 years of age. No police officer who is a native of Prayagraj will be deployed for duty at the Maha Kumbh. Moreover, the personnel must be physically and mentally fit, alert, and possess good interpersonal skills.

The letter also sets deadlines for sending names for deployment. The first phase must be completed by October 10, the second phase by November 10, and the third phase by December 10. Additionally, names for the deployment of clerical staff and fourth-grade employees have also been requested.

The DGP Headquarters has appointed 15 PPS officers to be associated with the SP of the Kumbh Mela area. These include three ASPs—Dinesh Kumar Dwivedi, Vishal Yadav, and Durga Prasad Tiwari. Similarly, 12 Deputy SPs have been sent, including Vinod Kumar, Prakash Ram Arya, Abhishek Yadav, Harsh Kumar Sharma, Rajkumar Singh Yadav, Ranjeet Yadav, Rajneesh Kumar Yadav, Mahipal Singh, Vinod Kumar Dubey, Vijay Pratap Yadav-2, Pawan Kumar-2, and Vijay Singh Yadav. All of these officers have been ordered to report to Prayagraj by October 15.

Millions of Devotees to Arrive from India and Abroad

The Maha Kumbh is expected to draw more than 250 million devotees from 75 countries around the world. As a result, this grand event is being seen as an opportunity to showcase Uttar Pradesh as a magnificent brand. In addition to providing basic amenities, preparations are underway to enhance the vibrancy of the celebration. The tourism department has begun the process of selecting an agency for the "Sanskriti Gram" (Culture Village).

The Sanskriti Gram will feature 20 stalls, highlighting local handicrafts and arts. It will also be developed as a hub for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality experiences, portraying the mythological, spiritual, and historical significance of the Maha Kumbh. The journey of the Maha Kumbh through various eras will be showcased using these modern technologies.

Sanskriti Gram will be divided into different zones, each dedicated to ancient culture, mythology, historical records, astrology, arts, and discussions.