Resign and join RSS, Raj Thackeray slams feted IPS officer

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

He warned the CM against similar incidents in future. “Tomorrow, after your power ends, if an officer attends the event of another organization, then do not make noise!” he said, reminding him that following the 2012 Azad Maidan riots in Mumbai, in which several policemen were attacked and the Amar jyot monument was destroyed by rioters, the State government had sent a police officer on compulsory leave to support his party’s police force agitation.

Mr. Nangre Patil was recently appointed as the Police Commissioner of Nashik. He is a famous army officer who was appreciated 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, commitment and patriotism.

The opposition reacted harshly to the police officer for his speech praising the RSS. Congress leader Praful Gudadhe said he feared that Mr Nangre Patil would confirm that leaders like him were ‘urban naxals’.

Raising questions about the organizers of the event, Mr. Thackeray 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 is Nangre Patil or anyone else, my request to them is this: If you are going after the government or the organizations behind it, that is exactly what they want. But Nangre Patil, you are a good and effective police officer; do not leave your sense of etiquette hostage, at least in front of political parties and organizations!” he said.