'Resign or join them': Raj Thackeray to top IPS officer over RSS praise

NEW DELHI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday criticised senior IPS officer Vishwas Nangare Patil over his speech at a Hindu Sakal Samaj event, saying the officer should resign from the police service and join the RSS or the BJP if he wished to publicly express his admiration for the organisation.In a Facebook post, Thackeray said a police officer's loyalty should remain solely with the duties and responsibilities of the force. He alleged that Nangare Patil appeared eager to publicly display his allegiance to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), suggesting the officer had developed "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 wrote.The remarks came after an undated video of Nangare Patil addressing a Hindu Sammelan organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj went viral on Thursday, sparking a political row. The controversy surfaced days after the IPS officer was appointed Nagpur Police Commissioner. The Maharashtra Congress has also sought an inquiry into the speech, alleging it raises questions about his neutrality and compliance with service rules.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.