The Chhattisgarh Police Headquarters on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma, a 2018-batch IPS officer, after a video of her firing an AK-47 rifle into the air during a Dussehra weapon-worship ceremony went viral, PTI reported.

Source: PTI via KhelJa

The incident took place on October 20 at the Police Lines in Rajnandgaon during the traditional 'Shastra Puja' held on Vijayadashami. In the widely shared video, Sharma, dressed in a saree, is seen firing several rounds from the AK-47 after the ritual. Rajnandgaon Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Yadav said the headquarters took serious cognisance of the matter and found the act was not in accordance with police weapon-handling rules.

Yadav said Sharma has been asked to explain her actions, and that after receiving her reply he will record his observations and forward the matter to the Police Headquarters. "Further action will be taken in accordance with the directions received from there," he said. Some reports said the explanation was sought within three days. The headquarters also took note of the comments accompanying the viral video, which officers said raised questions about safety protocols and could affect the dignity of the police force.

The video has triggered a wider debate over ceremonial firing. Retired IPS officer R K Vij told PTI that the tradition is essentially about performing the worship of weapons, not firing them. "Such firing carries the risk of accidents and should be avoided," Vij said.

Source: PTI via Nawai Duggar

An IPS officer, requesting anonymity, offered a different view, saying firing blank rounds — known as 'awazi kartoos' — was part of the Shastra Puja tradition followed across Chhattisgarh, and that live ammunition is not used on such occasions, PTI reported.