one of India’s top spiritual figures Awdheshanandji giri maharaj standing shoulder-to-shoulder with SP Ankita Sharma
Published on: October 22, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
In a powerful double-barreled defense, renowned spiritual leader Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj and Bhilai (Vaishali Nagar) MLA Rikesh Sen have openly aligned to shield Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police (SP) and IPS officer Ankita Sharma from a swelling administrative controversy over her ceremonial firing during the Vijayadashami celebrations.
The combined religious and political support comes as a direct pushback against a stringent show-cause explanation notice issued by the Chhattisgarh Police Headquarters (PHQ).
The Spark: AK-47 Firing at Dussehra Utsav
The administrative row erupted during the traditional Shastra Puja (weapon worship) at the Rajnandgaon Police Lines to mark Dussehra. Following ritualistic prayers, a video surfaced showing SP Ankita Sharma, dressed in a traditional saree, test-firing multiple continuous rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle into the air.
While the video captured extensive public admiration for her confidence, it drew immediate scrutiny from security veterans who questioned the deviation from strict weapon-safety and firing-range guidelines.
PHQ Crackdown: IG Ajay Yadav Translates Executive Discontent
As the footage dominated headlines, the state police brass moved to enforce discipline, viewing the public display of celebratory firing as a violation of police decorum. Under PHQ guidelines, Rajnandgaon Range Inspector General (IG) Ajay Yadav officially issued an explanation call to SP Ankita Sharma.
Confirming the administrative intervention, IG Ajay Yadav stated:
“The state PHQ has officially sought a formal explanation from the district police chief regarding the incident. Upon receiving her reply, I will review her statements, record my operational observations, and forward the dossier back to the headquarters for final administrative directives.”
Political Shield: Bhilai MLA Rikesh Sen Defends ‘Daughters of India’
Directly countering the institutional pressure, Bhilai area legislator and MLA Rikesh Sen issued a robust statement backing the IPS officer. Dismantling attempts by local political quarters to use the incident against her, MLA Sen took to his platforms to write: “The women of India are not weak.”
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Sen forcefully argued that rather than pulling down a pioneering female officer over traditional rituals, the administration and the public should work toward boosting the morale of women leading the frontlines of state security.
Spiritual Endorsement: Swami Avdheshanand Giri Cites Tradition
Simultaneously, Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj added massive moral authority to the officer’s defense. Discarding critics, Maharaj Ji clarified that weapon worship followed by ceremonial firing has been a deep-rooted cultural and defensive tradition among security forces on Vijaya Dashami.
The spiritual leader described the image of Chhattisgarh’s prominent female police chief confidently executing the Shastra Puja as a stellar modern symbol of Nari Shakti (Women Empowerment) and a representation of a fearless protector.
With an influential MLA and one of India’s top spiritual figures standing shoulder-to-shoulder with SP Ankita Sharma, the localized bureaucratic attempt to penalize the officer has evolved into a high-stakes national debate on heritage, gender empowerment, and administrative protocol.
