India, Feb. 21 -- For months, it was the "khaki swag"- the sharp salute, the slow-motion walk, the gym flex with dramatic background music- that had Gen Z double-tapping police reels on Instagram.

But on Thursday, the swagger hit a speed bump. In a circular issued to all 51,000 personnel, the Mumbai police top brass directed officers and constables to immediately stop posting reels, mini-vlogs and other social media videos shot in uniform. The order warns of strict disciplinary action against those who fail to comply.

The circular, signed by deputy commissioner of police (Special Branch) Dattatray Kamble, states that such videos often inadvertently reveal office premises, government vehicles, equipment or duty-related information, raisi...