A tense standoff unfolded at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium during a cricket match on June 30 when Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Anjali Vishwakarma stood her ground and denied armed security personnel accompanying BJP MLC Arun Pathak from entering the venue. The match, part of the BJP-led ‘Operation Sindoor’, was attended by several political dignitaries including MP Ramesh Awasthi. Despite repeated insistence by MLC Pathak to allow his security detail inside with weapons, ADCP Vishwakarma cited security protocols and firmly refused entry, emphasizing that no political influence could override established law enforcement procedures.
The confrontation escalated into a heated argument, snippets of which surfaced on social media, drawing widespread public attention. In the viral footage, Pathak can be seen visibly agitated, questioning the officer’s tone when she remarked, “I have dealt with them earlier during another event.” To this, he responded sharply, warning her not to indulge in “loose talk.” Throughout the exchange, ADCP Vishwakarma maintained a composed demeanor and ultimately walked away without allowing the armed personnel in. The incident marked a rare instance where a senior police officer openly defied political pressure in a public space, highlighting the ongoing tensions between administrative authority and political influence in India.
The standoff concluded only after Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey and other BJP leaders intervened to de-escalate the situation. So far, no official statement has been issued by the Kanpur police or the city administration. The event has sparked a broader conversation on social media regarding the role of police officers in upholding the rule of law against political pressure. Many have praised ADCP Anjali Vishwakarma’s professionalism and courage, calling her stance a model of integrity and duty in public service. The matter is now being closely followed, with citizens and civil society demanding accountability and transparency in future interactions between law enforcement and political representatives.
