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Bihar govt red-faced as cops seek info on RSS functionaries

Sangh office bearers accuse CM Nitish Kumar of spying on the organisation

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
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The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has been left red-faced after the special crime cell of the state police sought details of functionaries of many organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

In a letter dated May 28, the special cell asked district police officers to gather information on office bearers RSS, the ideological mentor of the BJP, and 17 other organisations. The BJP and the JD(U) are the governing partners in the state.

Amid mounting criticism of the move, particularly for targeting the RSS, GS Gangwar, Additional Director General (Economic Offences Wing) downplayed the episode.

‘HAD NO CLUE’

  • Amid mounting criticism, top police brass downplayed the episode
     
  • RS Gangwar, ADG (EOW) said no senior officer knew about it
     
  • BJP has slammed CM Nitish Kumar for the slow response to the matter
     
  • BJP & JD(U) are the ruling partners in Bihar

"We carried out an investigation of the letter circulating in the media. It was found out that it was sent by the SP, no other officer had any knowledge of the letter. The Home Ministry, the government or any other official in the police department had no part to play in this, there were no directions from them either," Gangwar told the media on Wednesday.

He added, "We will first approach the then SP for his reply as currently he is not in that post and is in training. We will then continue our investigation in the matter."

The letter had directed all deputy superintendents of police to "collect names, addresses, phone number and professions of the office bearers of RSS residing in their areas within a week". Among the other groups on the list are Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar mocked the letter, saying the Bihar police must gather the information properly as "it would help them get a better understanding of the RSS and its work". Some RSS leaders have accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of misusing the state machinery to spy on the organisation.

As the letter went viral on social media, state BJP leaders too expressed their displeasure, saying the government's response to the matter was lukewarm. "I am unable to understand why the police should keep surveillance on activists of the Sangh Parivar, who are known to be selflessly devoted to nation-building," said BJP legislator Mithilesh Tiwari. 

― Zee Media Newsroom

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