India, Dec. 19 -- LUCKNOW A controversy erupted after a guard of honour was accorded to a Vrindavan-based religious preacher, Pundarik Goswami, at the Reserve Police Lines in UP's Bahraich district, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders who questioned the priorities of the UP government and the state police.

On November 17, a Bhagwat Katha was organised at the Police Lines during the training of police personnel, to which Pundarik Goswami was invited. During the programme, a red carpet was rolled out for the preacher and he was given a formal salute by superintendent of police RN Singh. A video of the purported incident surfaced on social media on Thursday.

The incident sparked a wider debate on the role of religious figures i...