Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), has launched a sharp attack on a senior IPS officer, asking him to resign from his post and join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The controversy erupted after the officer, who was recently appointed as the Nagpur police commissioner, made a speech at a right-wing event that drew criticism.
Thackeray's demand for resignation
Speaking at a party event in Mumbai, Thackeray said, "If he wants to serve the RSS, he should resign from the police force and join the Sangh. He cannot use his official position to promote a political ideology." The MNS chief accused the officer of violating the code of conduct expected from a neutral police official.
The controversial speech
The IPS officer, whose name has not been officially confirmed, was appointed as the Nagpur police commissioner earlier this week. Reports suggest that during a speech at a right-wing gathering, he made remarks that were perceived as endorsing a particular political ideology. The exact content of the speech has not been made public, but sources indicate that it praised the RSS and its role in nation-building.
Political reactions
The incident has sparked a political firestorm in Maharashtra. Opposition parties have demanded a probe into the officer's conduct, while the ruling coalition has defended him, stating that he has the right to express his personal views. Thackeray's MNS, which has often clashed with the RSS and its affiliates, has taken a strong stance against the officer.
Background of the officer
The IPS officer, a 2010-batch cadre of the Maharashtra cadre, has served in various capacities across the state. His appointment as Nagpur police commissioner was seen as a routine transfer, but the controversy has now put the spotlight on his ideological leanings. The Maharashtra government has not yet commented on the demand for his resignation.
Impact on law and order
Political analysts believe that the row could affect the morale of the police force in Nagpur, which has been grappling with rising crime rates and communal tensions. The city, known as the headquarters of the RSS, has often been a flashpoint for ideological clashes. Thackeray's comments are likely to further polarize the political landscape in the region.
