MP cops post ‘shakal achhi nahi to kya hua, sarkari naukri to hai ’ reel, get show-cause notice

BHOPAL: A social media reel meant for fun has put six trainee constables in serious trouble at a police training centre in Rewa.The trainees, dressed in full uniform, posted a video on Feb 25 lip-syncing to cheeky lines: "Shakal achchi nahi hai to kya hua, sarkari naukri to hai na" and "...

kapde nahi hai to kya hua, vardi to hai na.

" Roughly translated, the lines suggest that looks or clothes don't matter as long as one has a government job - and the uniform to go with it.What may have been intended as light-hearted bravado quickly snowballed. The reel crossed 9,000 views within days, but instead of applause, it attracted criticism. Many users questioned whether trainees - not yet fully inducted into service - should be using the police uniform for social media punchlines.

Police warn against online misuse of uniform Many users questioned whether trainees -- not yet fully inducted into service -- should be using the police uniform for social media punchlines. The backlash was swift, and so was the department's response.Officials said the video violated explicit instructions given during training: uniformed personnel are barred from creating public content unrelated to official duty. The uniform, they stressed, is not a prop for entertainment but a symbol of discipline and public trust.

The tone of the reel, authorities added, did not align with the image expected of a police force. "As soon as it came into our notice, show-cause notices were issued to all the six trainee constables. There were recruitment schedules for the pasttwo2 days. As soon as replies are received, further course of action will be decided on the basis of the replies. Sharing reels on social media is prohibited," SP, Police Training Institute, Rewa, Surendra Kumar Jain told TOI.