Overview
- A short video of Vishwas Nangare Patil, newly appointed Nagpur police commissioner, praising the RSS at a Sakal Hindu Samaj event circulated in mid‑late June and went viral.
- The Maharashtra Congress has formally asked the state to disclose whether Patil obtained prior permission under Rule 13(2)(f)(iii) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules and has demanded an inquiry if no permission was granted.
- MNS chief Raj Thackeray publicly told Patil to resign and join the RSS or BJP if he wishes to praise the organisation, arguing a serving officer must remain politically neutral.
- BJP-aligned leaders defended Patil, and the commissioner has said his remarks were within the law, that he spoke about social values and harmony, and that fuller footage would show calls against hatred.
- The episode highlights Nagpur’s symbolic importance as the RSS headquarters, recalls a 2012 disciplinary precedent for partisan behaviour, and tests whether the state government will publicly justify or discipline the officer.