IPS Officer Fires AK-47: Tradition or Danger?

A video capturing an IPS officer firing an AK-47 into the air during a Dussehra weapon worship ritual in Chhattisgarh's Rajnandgaon district has circulated widely online, initiating discussions about weapon safety and adherence to discipline. Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma was seen discharging the rifle during the 'Shastra Puja' ceremony.

Social media reactions were divided, with some users defending the act as traditional and others condemning the handling of the firearm. Concerns were voiced by former military personnel regarding the violation of weapon safety protocols, including pointing the loaded weapon in various directions and the potential risk to bystanders. The tradition of weapon worship, which involves police weapons and vehicles, is observed annually in the district.

Officials have indicated that the government will review the incident. Retired IPS officers have noted that while weapon worship is customary, firing live ammunition carries inherent risks and should ideally be avoided or conducted with extreme caution. There is a practice in some areas of using blank ammunition for ceremonial purposes, though even bullets fired upwards can pose a danger upon descent.