BHUBANESWAR: After facing flak on social media for his red hair, DSP Rashmi Ranjan Das on Friday attributed the colour to a medical condition and not a cosmetic choice.“I don’t apply red dye or any colour to my hair. My hair started turning reddish several years ago due to medical and hormonal issues,” Das, who is posted in Jagatsinghpur district, told TOI. He, however, declined to reveal details about the ailment or treatment.

Das became a topic of social media discussion on Wednesday when a photo of his red hair went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism. Memes, jokes, and sarcastic posts flooded digital platforms, with many questioning whether such an appearance was befitting of a uniformed officer.The viral image had prompted senior police officers to intervene. Das was advised to apply black dye to his hair to avoid further criticism. Officials said they were initially unaware of his medical condition. “When we issued him a verbal warning and inquired as to why he changed his hair colour, he disclosed his medical issues,” a senior officer said.The officer further said that the police manual does not prescribe rules regarding hair colour or appearance. “Many officers flaunt long and big moustaches. It is about personal choice and is a subjective matter,” he added.