Odisha Police advises officer to maintain decorum after hairstyle draws attention online

PTI, BHUBANESWAR, JAN 30, 2026: Odisha Police has found itself in a spot after some of its personnel, including senior officers, were criticised on social media for sporting coloured and unconventional hairstyles.

The latest incident was reported from Jagatsinghpur district, where a DSP-rank officer was trolled online for his red-coloured hair, putting the police administration in an awkward position, a senior officer said.

The officer, identified as Rashmi Ranjan Das, saw his hairstyle go viral on social media, drawing criticism from several quarters.

Some users termed the look "unprofessional", while others questioned whether such an appearance befitted a uniformed officer, alleging it undermined the authority and seriousness associated with the khaki.

"After finding the DSP being trolled on social media, I have instructed the Jagatsinghpur SP to tell the officer to maintain decorum and keep his hairstyle decent, befitting a man in uniform," Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Satyajit Naik told PTI.

Naik, however, said the police department has not yet issued any circular or order in this regard.

"We have told the officer to maintain decency. Everything cannot go by written orders. From constables to senior officers, everyone in the police service should respect the uniform and give utmost priority to decency," he said.

Speaking to PTI, DSP Das rejected the allegation and claimed that he has never used any dye to make his hair red.

"The picture in circulation is not the real one. It is morphed one. The colour of my hair has changed to a certain extent due to a disease which I am not willing to reveal. This change is not new. I have been encountering with this issue for long."

"I doubt hands of certain notorious criminals behind this picture," Das, who was instrumental in cracking down on some crime groups, said.

Another senior police officer said women police personnel across the country, including Odisha, are also seen colouring their hair in shades such as coffee, chocolate, ash, auburn, caramel and golden