MNS Chief Criticizes IPS Officer for Alleged RSS Affiliation
NEW DELHI: Raj Thackeray, the leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has publicly condemned senior IPS officer Vishwas Nangare Patil for his remarks at a Hindu Sakal Samaj event. Thackeray urged the officer to resign from his post and join either the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if he wished to express his admiration for these organizations.
In a post on Facebook, Thackeray emphasized that a police officer’s allegiance must remain strictly to their duties and responsibilities. He alleged that Nangare Patil seemed too eager to show his loyalty to the RSS, implying that he has developed a “dual loyalty.”
“Have you (Nangare Patil) forgotten that you are a police officer and that impartiality is one of the foremost expectations from someone in your position? If you have affection or admiration for the RSS, keep it to yourself. If you wish to express it publicly, then resign from service and join the RSS or the BJP. After all, for the past several years, there has practically been a guaranteed rehabilitation scheme for favoured officers. You too would surely be accommodated,”
Thackeray remarked.
This criticism emerged after an undated video surfaced showing Nangare Patil addressing a Hindu Sammelan organized by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, which went viral on Thursday, igniting a political confrontation. The timing is particularly noteworthy as the officer has recently been appointed as the Police Commissioner of Nagpur.
In response to the speech, the Maharashtra Congress has called for an investigation, suggesting that it raises serious questions regarding the officer’s neutrality and adherence to service regulations. This situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding political affiliations and the role of law enforcement in maintaining impartiality in a diverse society.
