BJP's Maharashtra legislative assembly opposition leader Eknath Khadse today demanded a roll back of Mumbai Police Commissioner Satypal Singh's order asking police stations to remove photographs and idols of deities inside their premises.
He said the order violated the constitutional right of religious freedom available to citizens.
"Even the British did not impose such restrictions," Khadse said while speaking about budgetary demands of the Maharashtra state home department.
He said the order also bars police officials from performing puja and other worship rituals inside police stations.
"The order states that action would be taken if such photos and idols were not removed within 15 days," he said.
He questioned the restrictions, claiming that pujas conducted by the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister at Pandharpur are accorded the status of "state pujas".
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi supported the Police Commissioner's order and demanded similar orders be issued by the state government to all government and semi-government offices.
