Who is Ankita Sharma? ‘Lady Singham’ faces backlash over AK-47 firing video on Dussehra | WATCH

A Dussehra weapon worship ceremony has put Chhattisgarh IPS officer Ankita Sharma in the spotlight, but not everyone is impressed by the viral video. While some social media users have praised her confidence and weapon-handling skills, retired military officers have raised concerns over safety protocols after she was seen firing an AK-47 in a saree.

Sharma, popularly known as ‘Lady Singham’, performed the traditional shastra puja at the Rajnandgaon Police Lines before firing the assault rifle, according to a News18-India report. The video has since triggered a debate on X, with questions being raised about how the weapon was handled and whether proper safety procedures were followed.

Why is Ankita Sharma’s video facing criticism?

Retired Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon was among those who criticised the officer’s actions. In a post on X, he flagged what he described as unsafe handling of a loaded weapon, pointing out that the rifle appeared to be directed towards people in the background.

Dhillon also questioned the decision to fire a service weapon during the ceremony, alleging that basic weapon-handling drills and safety requirements had not been followed.

Calling the incident an example of authority without responsibility, he argued that such conduct should invite appropriate disciplinary action to prevent similar incidents.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Singh Sheoran offered a mixed assessment of the video. While suggesting that Sharma appeared familiar with handling a firearm, he described the safety procedures as poor.

Sheoran also questioned the practice of firing into the air, calling it a waste of ammunition and a violation of safety standards. He said the organisers should be held accountable and observed that the incident could have resulted in an accident.

The reactions have shifted attention from the ceremonial firing itself to questions about firearm safety and the responsibilities that come with handling a service weapon.

Who is Ankita Sharma?

Ankita Sharma is a 2018-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre. She is known for her policing work and has earned the nickname ‘Lady Singham’ for her reputation for firm action on law and order.

Born on June 25, 1990, in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, Sharma secured All India Rank 203 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017 and was allotted her home cadre.

She cleared the examination on her third attempt. In her first attempt, she reached the mains stage but could not clear the preliminary examination in her second attempt.

Sharma began her career with a posting in Bhatapara and later served as the City Superintendent of Police (CSP) of Azad Chowk in Raipur.

In May 2022, she was appointed Superintendent of Police of Khairagarh, becoming the district’s first woman to hold the post.