Prosecute Nageshwar Rao for Inciting Communal Enmity, Brinda Karat Writes to Home Minister

Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking the prosecution of Nageshwar Rao, Director General of Fire Services, for making “the most outrageous politically motivated statements which also go against the spirit of the Constitution”.

Rao, who is an IPS cadre, had reportedly posted a tweet insulting freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and other notable educationists, mainly from the Muslim community, using derogatory language. The letter further added that the serving officer had also made comments “inciting feelings of enmity between two communities”.

Despite being duty bound to not make politically motivated public statements, the officer had also praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for “rehinduisation of India”, Karat wrote. Not only that, Rao had also made demeaning comments against leftists. His comments render him guilty of offences under Sec 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code.

The letter also notes that this is not the first time that Rao has violated service rules by making communal comments. In the late 90s, while serving in the Berhampur Development Authority in Odisha, Rao had been found guilty of making “toxic communal statements” and faced disciplinary measures.

Karat further alleges that Rao’s comments may have been motivated by the fact that he is set to retire in July 31, 2020, and may be “seeking induction into the BJP or RSS after his scheduled retirement”. However, his offences as a serving officer warrant immediate action, for which the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member has also filed a complaint against him with the Delhi Police.

Referring to Rao as a habitual offender, Karat has appealed to the Home Minister for expediting the process of required action against Rao.

The letter written to the SHO of Mandir Marg Police Station by Brinda Karat is given below.

Letter to SHO

This is a complaint against a statement made on Twitter by Shri Nageswar Rao, Director General of Fire Services, Home Guards and Civil Defence reported in The Indian Express dated July 27th, 2020.

In the said statement made by the above named person put out in the public domain he has made the most outrageous charges against heroic freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and other noted historians, all belonging to the Muslim community of “deracination of Hindus,” “of whitewashing of bloody Islamic invasions/rule.” He has referred to “rehinduised Hindu society” and so on. His words, language, tenor and intention is to cause enmity and hostility between communities and to incite feelings of hatred against Muslims. His words are totally against the spirit of the Constitution and law. His words amount to a criminal offence under Sec 153 A and Sec 295 (A) of the IPC . He has also referred to “left” historians in the most derogatory terms.

I request you to file an FIR on the basis of my complaint. I enclose the copy of The Indian Express report.

I would like to mention that in recent times it has been seen that the Delhi police has been quite active in using Sec 153A and Sec 295A on the basis of complaints, I may add, wrongly and in a selective manner. I hope you will register an FIR without any delay. Kindly provide me a copy of the FIR.

Since my address is under the police jurisdiction of Mandir Marg thana, I am addressing this letter to you. I am also sending a copy to the DCP, New Delhi and the Commissioner of Police.

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

(Brinda Karat)

Copy to:

1) The Commissioner of Police, Delhi

2) DCP, New Delhi