Maharashtra Police Commissioner Faces Political Row Over RSS Praise Comments
A political controversy has broken out in Maharashtra after Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare-Patil publicly praised the RSS. Opposition leaders are questioning the officer's political neutrality, citing potential violations of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, while ruling party officials have defended his remarks.
Highlights
- •Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare-Patil faces backlash for praising the RSS at a public event.
- •Opposition parties, including Congress and MNS, demand clarity on whether service conduct rules were violated.
- •Critics argue the officer failed to maintain the political neutrality required by All India Services rules.
- •BJP leaders defend the officer, stating there is no issue with praising the organization.
A significant political row has emerged in Maharashtra following the actions of the newly appointed Nagpur Police Commissioner, Vishwas Nangare-Patil. The senior officer found himself at the center of intense scrutiny after attending a function organized by the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), where he publicly commended the organization. This incident has prompted sharp criticism from opposition parties, raising concerns regarding the adherence to established conduct protocols for civil servants.
The controversy stems from an undated video that circulated online, showing Nangare-Patil—a member of the 1993 batch of the IPS—speaking at a Hindu Sammelan hosted by the Sakal Hindu Samaj. In his address, the senior official praised the RSS, labeling it an organization consisting of individuals who prioritize discipline in their daily lives. This appearance took place shortly after he assumed his current post in Nagpur, sparking immediate questions about the political neutrality required of high-ranking government officials.
Questioning Protocol and Political Neutrality
The Maharashtra Congress unit quickly challenged the officer's participation, questioning if he had secured the necessary authorization from the state's Home Department. Citing Rule 13(2)(f)(iii) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, the party demanded that the government disclose whether such permission was ever granted. They further pressed for clarity on the legal basis of this participation and warned that if no official clearance existed, disciplinary action should be taken for the perceived breach of conduct.
State Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal expressed his disapproval, arguing that even highly regarded officers appeared to be yielding to political pressures. Echoing this sentiment, senior leader Vijay Wadettiwar stated that the officer had abandoned the principles outlined in the oath he took upon entering the police force. Similarly, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar condemned the act, suggesting that the officer’s public praise might be an attempt to secure further career advancements, describing the situation as fundamentally improper.
The controversy expanded when MNS chief Raj Thackeray addressed the issue publicly. He asserted that if the Police Commissioner felt such strong admiration for the RSS, he ought to step down from his government duties first. Thackeray also questioned the silence of the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti government, suggesting that the leadership’s lack of response might imply an endorsement of what he termed “dual loyalty.” Conversely, Maharashtra Revenue Minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule defended the officer, dismissing the backlash and maintaining that there was nothing inherently wrong with appreciating the RSS, an organization he claimed has brought national pride.
