Resign and join RSS, Raj Thackeray hits out at celebrated IPS officer

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray slams IPS officer for comments praising RSS. File | Photo credit: ANI

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday (June 27, 2026) slammed IPS officer Vishwas Nangre Patil for praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the RSS platform. He also asked the chief minister if the government agreed with the “dual loyalty” of the IPS officer. “If you feel affection for the Sangh, keep it in your heart or want to talk about it publicly, then resign from service and join the Sangh or the BJP. After all, there has been a rehabilitation guarantee scheme for disaffected officers for many years. Yours will too,” Mr Thackeray said in a post on social media.

He warned the CM against similar incidents in future. “If any officer attends another organization’s event tomorrow after you are out of power, don’t raise your color and cry!” he said, reminding him how the state government sent a constable on forced leave for supporting his party’s agitation for a police force after the Azad Maidan riots in Mumbai in 2012, where several policemen were attacked and the Amar Jyot memorial vandalized by rioters.

Mr. Nangre Patil was recently appointed as the Commissioner of Police, Nagpur. He is a celebrated officer who was felicitated for his role during the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai in 2008. He was recently invited to an RSS event where he praised the organization for its discipline, dedication and patriotism.

The opposition slammed the police officer for his speech praising the RSS. Congress President Praful Gudadhe said he feared that Mr. Nangre Patil would confirm leaders like him that they are “urban naxals”.

Mr. Thackeray raised questions about the organizers of the event and asked Mr. Nangre Patil if he had forgotten that a police officer is expected to be impartial and loyal only to his uniform.

“Whether it’s Nangre Patil or anyone else, I’m asking them: if you’re running for the government or the organizations behind it, that’s exactly what they want. But Nangre Patil, you’re a good, efficient officer – at least don’t stop your sense of decency in front of political parties and organizations!” he said.

Published – 28 Jun 2026 09:38 IST