On Friday (November 25), 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 Friday, charged a customer ₹80 for ferrying him/her via auto from the railway station to VIP Road in Vizag.
Interestingly, the bill mentioned ‘Traffic Police, Visakhapatnam 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!
— Ratan Sharda 🇮🇳 रतन शारदा (@RatanSharda55) November 25, 2022
Viva #Secularism.
Why is no Indian going to courts? Are lawyers of AP only busy making money? pic.twitter.com/Icx6j99rOl
Following outrage on social media, the Vizag police issued an explanation of the matter. It claimed, “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,” the Twitter handle of the Vizag City Police asserted. However, netizens were not convinced by the clarification and accused the cops of deceit.
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
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.
One auto driver, one head constable and one CM – 3 undercover agents
— Phani Kiran (@phanikiran) November 26, 2022
Another user accused the Vizag police of brushing the matter under carpet. “Nice cover”, he tweeted.
— Satish Kumar (@4uSatishKumar) November 26, 2022
“On the slip there is clear mention of Traffic Police, Visakhapatnam. 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.
On the slip there is clear mention of Traffic Police, Visakhapatnam.
— బటన్ నొక్కుడు బాదుడే బాదుడు (@rgvarma1100) November 25, 2022
If the entire Police Department of Vizag district practices Christianity, it’s ok. Just do not lie which is against your religion.
Another user suggested that the cops learn the art of lying when quizzed on issues of public interest. “If you choose to lie atleast make it believable,” he wrote.
If you choose to lie atleast make it believable.
— Peter Gibbons (@tsknray) November 25, 2022
One Hari Damcherla urged the cops to submit the script of the story to acclaimed director Rahamouli for a new movie. “Shame on Andhra Pradesh police. Who ever doing this resign and join in church” he said.
Please give this story to rajamouli. Shame on AP police . Who ever doing this resign and join in church
— Damacherla Hari Babu (@HariDamacherla) November 25, 2022
“Police department behave yourself, maintain the integrity of the police, and don’t be like goats in front of YCP party members,” another Twitter user emphasised.
Police department behave your self , maintian integrity of police, don’t be like a goats infront of YCP party members.
— Chankya006 (@prabhu804) November 25, 2022
While speaking about the matter, a source from Vijaywada told Opindia that the slip is not a challan from the police. He informed that the image that is doing the rounds of the internet is in fact the pre-paid bill of auto service, available at railway stations.
On being asked about the statement issued by the Vizag police, he said, “Cover up. Nothing much. I have seen mushrooming of churches in Vijaywada ever since Jaganmohan Reddy took charge as the Andhra CM.” Our source chose to speak anonymously for fear of backlash from YSRCP supporters.
