Slip with Christian verse distributed by Vizag Police, netizens question Police explanation
Vizag (25th November) – The Vizag Traffic Police Department came under scanner after a copy of a bill, embossed with the image of Jesus Christ and a biblical verse, went viral on social media.
An image of the contentious bill was posted on Twitter by TDP leader Aman Venkata Ramana Reddy. The slip, issued on 25th November, charged a customer Rs 80 for ferrying him/her via auto from the railway station to the VIP Road in Vizag.
Interestingly, the bill mentioned ‘Traffic Police, Vizag City’ at the top while the image of Jesus Christ was seen printed at the bottom. It also followed a verse from the Bible, which read – ‘The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore’.
Amen pic.twitter.com/5kYWo1aHrv
— anam venkata ramana reddy (@anamramana) November 25, 2022
The same copy of the bill was also shared on the micro-blogging site by RSS ideologue, Ratan Sharda. “Traffic Police challan in #AndhraPradesh comes with a message of #Jesus! Viva #Secularism. Why is no Indian going to Courts ? Are lawyers of AP only busy making money ?” he asked.
Traffic police challan in #AndhraPradesh comes with a message of #Jesus!
Viva #Secularism.
Why is no Indian going to courts? Are lawyers of AP only busy making money? pic.twitter.com/Icx6j99rOl— Ratan Sharda 🇮🇳 रतन शारदा (@RatanSharda55) November 25, 2022
Following outrage on social media, the Vizag Police issued an explanation of the matter. It claimed, “The slips handed over by one autodriver to the head constable were distributed unfortunately with his ignorance in emergency”.
“It was stopped immediately after coming to notice. It was not done intentionally”, the Twitter handle of the Vizag City Police asserted. However, netizens were not convinced by the clarification and accused the Police of deceit.
Amen pic.twitter.com/5kYWo1aHrv
— anam venkata ramana reddy (@anamramana) November 25, 2022
One Phani Kiran wrote, “One auto driver, one head constable and one CM – 3 undercover agents”. He suggested that the trio are complicit in the propagation of Christianity using the State’s resources.
“On the slip there is clear mention of Traffic Police, Vizag. If the entire Police Department of Vizag District practices Christianity, it’s ok. Just do not lie, which is against your religion”, one Twitter user wrote.
The slips handed over by one autodriver to head constable unfortunately with his ignorance in emergency he distributed the slips. It was stopped immediately after coming to notice . It was not done intentionally.
— VizagCityPolice (@vizagcitypolice) November 25, 2022
Another said that the Police learn the art of lying when quizzed on issues of public interest – “If you choose to lie atleast make it believable”.