In the midst of a severe public health crisis in Indore, a late-night meeting between top civic officials and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionaries has ignited a major political controversy. The incident occurred against the backdrop of mounting public anger over deaths allegedly caused by contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area.
Late-Night Meeting at RSS Office Raises Eyebrows
On Wednesday night, Indore District Collector Shivam Verma and Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav paid a visit to 'Sudarshan,' the newly inaugurated office of the RSS located in the Rambagh area. According to sources familiar with the matter, the two officials engaged in a one-on-one discussion with Malwa prant pracharak Rajmohan that lasted for approximately 90 minutes.
Insiders within the RSS indicated that the meeting involved a serious discussion concerning the handling of the Bhagirathpura water contamination crisis. The talks reportedly centered on the perceived lack of coordination between the district administration and the city's elected representatives. Notably, the mayor arrived at the venue in a government vehicle but later returned home using his private car.
Officials Downplay, Opposition Condemns
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav later attempted to downplay the significance of the visit. When questioned by journalists, he stated, "I frequently visit the RSS office; today's visit was nothing unusual." However, this explanation did little to quell the rising criticism.
The visit has drawn sharp condemnation from the Congress party. State spokesperson Amit Chaurasia lambasted the meeting, calling it a blatant 'violation of administrative decorum'. He accused the collector of showcasing political loyalty while the city grappled with a deadly public health emergency. "People are dying from toxic water, and the collector is showcasing political loyalty at an RSS office. This raises serious questions about neutrality," Chaurasia asserted.
A Pattern of Advisory Meetings
This is not the first instance of RSS engagement with local civic authorities regarding the crisis. Sources revealed that prior to this meeting, organisation General Secretary Hitanand had conducted a closed-door session with the mayor and corporators. In that meeting, the elected representatives were reportedly advised to avoid making unnecessary public statements on sensitive issues.
The controversy underscores the intense political friction surrounding the administrative response to the tragedies in Bhagirathpura. The incident places a spotlight on the intersection of official duty and political affiliations during a time of public distress, raising fundamental questions about governance and protocol.
