Reports added that policewomen in Karnataka will no longer be seen wearing sarees and will instead wear standard khaki uniforms consisting of pants and shirts along with belt and boots. Accordingly, the decision was taken by Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG/IG) Neelamani N Raju in a recent meeting and the decision was taken to make it easier for policewomen to react faster in the event of a crime.
Earlier Neelamani Raju held discussions with senior police officers including women police personnel before an order was issued to this effect. Furthermore, in particular, the issue of catching chain-snatchers and managing large crowds was highlighted in the discussion held on September 3 with women police officials. Als,o the DG/IGP suggested that women will be comfortable and faster wearing standard shirt and pant uniform instead of sarees.
Meanwhile high ranking women officers wear shirts and pants, constables in the state still continue to wear khaki sarees. From now on, sarees will only be permitted on special occasions. Previously women officials got an option between Sarees and Chudidars on completion of five years in service. A senior police official told “Sarees were not compulsory but now it has been done away with". Earlier the Karnataka State Reserve Police had taken a similar decision to do away with saris and make trousers and shirts mandatory.
