Mohan Bhagwat's tour in Madurai: How RSS Chief's visit transferred a Deputy Commissioner?

Ahead of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's visit to Madurai, a Deputy Commissioner of Madurai Corporation was transferred from his post after he had issued orders to his zonal officers to carry out maintenance works of roads and street lights with the view of Bhagwat's visit to the city, which marks his first tour in Madurai in recent times. 

According to reports, the RSS Chief has a five-day tour in Madurai from July 22 to 26 during which he will be attending the functions organized by the RSS at Sai Baba Temple in Sathya Sai Nagar in the city. While the cadres were carrying out the arrangements to host their chief in the temple city, Deputy Commissioner of Madurai Corporation Shanmugam had on July 20 had listed out tasks for his zonal officers of the area in view of Bhagwat's visit. 

In a circular, Shanmugam had directed the officers to repair and maintain the roads and street lights along Bhagwat's way. Shanmugam has also instructed the officers to clean the roads regularly and avoid any other special work on the route during Bhagwat's tour. However, Madurai MP S. Venkatesan had questioned the circular from the Deputy Commissioner under what government rules such an order was issued since these protocols are followed only during the visits of constitutional figures like the President, the Prime Minister, Governor, and the Chief Minister.  

Following the question from the MP, Madurai Corporation Commissioner Karthikeyan has issued a clarification that the arrangements that are listed in the circular (from Deputy Commissioner Shanmugam) are carried out during the visit of any VIPs who fall under the 'Z Plus' security category. Karthikeyan said that such arrangements are a routine exercise that warrants no specific circular. 

The Commissioner claimed that the Deputy Commissioner is new to the post and he had issued the circular to maintain and repair the roads and lights along the way of Mohan Bhagwat though there was no need for it. One of the corporation officials had said that instead of passing the order orally, the Deputy Commissioner has issued a written order. According to reports, hours after his circular, Deputy Commissioner Shanmugam was relieved from his post. 

It has been reported that he was asked to get relieved from the post after his circular has invited controversy and was slammed by the Madurai MP.  Madurai MP Venkatesan, who questioned the circular, had welcomed the order of transferring of the Deputy Commissioner and said that the order sends the correct message to the entire administration in the state. However, on the other hand, the RSS has denied that it has sought special facilities during Bhagwat's visit. 

One of the RSS spokespersons had asserted that the organization hasn't sought any special facilities from the state government during Bhagwat's visit and stay in the city. The RSS has only informed the Police Commissioner of Madurai about Mohan Bhagwat's tour and programmes for security reasons. By citing that the circular would make no difference to Bhagwat's stay in Madurai, the spokesperson of the BJP's parental body said that Bhagwat will be staying near to the Sai Baba Temple where the event will be conducted and apart from visits to Madurai Meenakshi Amman and Thiruparankundram Temples, there are no other road trips on his itinerary. 

 

Comments