Police go gender neutral with oath for passing-out parade

IT's the turn of Kerala police to go woke. Marking a significant step toward gender neutrality, the force is eliminating a wording in its Malayalam oath for new officers that is predominantly discriminatory and male-oriented.

- ABDUL NAZER M A @ Kochi

The phrase 'male police officer' has been replaced with 'member of the force'.

A circular in this regard was issued by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Manoj Abraham, on behalf of the home department, and forwarded to officials under List B. The core part of the oath now reads: "As a member of the police force, I solemnly pledge to perform my duties and responsibilities to the best of my abilities."

The change comes five years after Kerala police celebrated 2020 as the 'Year of Women-Friendly Initiatives,' when the then DGP emphasised on eliminating discriminatory and gendered terms in official references and communications.