Bihar: Ruling JD-U Backs Patna SSP, Contrary to Ally BJP’s Demand for Action on His RSS Remark

Patna: Contrary to ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s demand, its allies Janata Dal (United) Hindustan Awam Morcha have come out in support of Patna Senior Superintendent of Police, Manavjeet Singh Dhillon, and ruled out action against him for ‘comparing’ the Popular Front of India with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS ,the mentor organisation of BJP.

BJP leaders have been demanding action against Dhillon.

On Friday, Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary, a senior JD-U leader, pointed out that several people in past had also spoken about RSS and they were now Union Ministers. He was referring to Union Minister R K Singh, who, as Union Home Secretary in 2013, had said that at least 10 people having close links with RSS and its affiliated organisations were named accused in various acts of terror across India. Singh had reportedly said: “Yes, during investigations of Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and [Ajmer] Dargah Sharif blasts, we have found names of at least 10 persons who have been associated with RSS at some point or the other”.

Another senior JD-U leader, Upendra Kushwaha, considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said there was no need for action against Dhillon. “How can one decide that Dhillon has made a wrong statement? Only his department will look into it. If he is found guilty of anything as per the service code, the proper authority will decide what to do”, he said.

HAM’s spokesperson Danish Rizwan alleged that Dhillon was being targeted and mentally harassed by BJP as he was a Dalit Sikh.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal and Left parties have already backed Dhillon and alleged that BJP’s move was to take revenge against an IPS officer for speaking the truth.

Dhillon on Friday broke his silence on the controversy around his remark, saying a wrong meaning was taken out from his statement.

Meanwhile, several BJP leaders attacked Dhillon, demanded his removal and apology for “comparing” PFI with RSS. Union Minister Griraj Singh, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, party MPs and MLAs demanded action against the police official.

While addressing a press conference here in connection with the arrest of three suspected PFI members allegedly involved in anti-national activities, Dhillon said like RSS (a Hindutva organisation), youth were being provided physical training by the arrested PFI (an Islamic outfit) members at Phulwarisharif, situated on the outskirts of Patna. Soon after this statement, several BJP leaders demanded his removal.

Dhillon reportedly said that the arrested PFI members were mobilising youths in the name of physical training, like RSS does in its shakhas. “As of now, the investigation into the activities of arrested PFI members is in the primary stage. What we came to know was that they were mobilising youths from madrasas and mosques. They were trying to turn these youths into fanatics. Their modus operandi was similar to RSS’s shakhas where physical training is given. Along with this, they were following their agenda and trying to brainwash the youth,” he had said.