In a huge development, it has emerged that the top cop in Patna had directed his force to obtain personal information on the office-bearers of the RSS and other Hindutva organisations. In its circular dated 28 May this year, as reported by news agency ANI, the SP (Special Branch) in Patna directed Deputy SPs (Special Branch) to “collect names, addresses, phone no and professions of the office bearers of RSS and its below mentioned supporting organisations” residing in their areas “within one week.
The order in Hindi read, “Ensure that you’ve collected all details, including names, telephone numbers, professions and addresses of all office-bearers (president/vice-president, secretary, treasurer, joint secretary and other post holders) of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and 17 other associated and supporting organisations and submitted the information within a week.”
The other Hindutva organisations stated in the order were Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagran Samiti, Muslim Rashtriya Manch (the minority wing of the RSS), Hindu Rashtra Sena, Durga Vahini, Hindu Mahasabha, and ABVP among others.
Bihar: In a letter dated 28/5/19, Superintendent of Police (Special Branch), Patna directed Deputy SPs (Special Branch) to "collect names,addresses, phone no & professions of the office bearers of RSS & its below mentioned supporting orgs", residing in their areas "within 1 week" pic.twitter.com/QnfMYAvgRs
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2019
Many on social media have been quick to term the development as a sign of fissures between the state’s ruling JDU and its alliance partner BJP. “What’s Nitish up to,” asked one social media user about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Another commented, “Good that Nitish showing this to this govt.”