Ex-CBI chief defiant on 'Abrahamisation of Hindu civilisation' tweet

Some users asked whether he was bidding for a post-retirement job

Shukla welcome Rao cbi pti (File) M. Nageswara Rao (left) handing over a bouquet to welcome R.K. Shukla as CBI chief at the agency headquarters | PTI

M. Nageswara Rao, an IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, was in the headlines for a few months when he took charge of the CBI as its interim director following the infamous Alok Verma-Rakesh Asthana spat in October 2018.

Nageswara Rao, currently director-general of fire services, had been previously portrayed as a 'sympathiser' of Hindutva. And a tweet by him on 'Abrahamisation' of Hindu civilisation on Saturday has gone viral and reignited debate of his ideological leanings.

Supporters of Hindutva have described Abrahamisation as the process by which tenets of Hinduism are modified to have features of monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).

Nageswara Rao tweeted on Saturday, "Story of Project Abrahamisation of Hindu Civilization:

1.Deny Hindus their knowledge

2.Vilify Hinduism as collection of superstitions

3.Abrahamise Education

4.Abrahamise Media & Entertainment

5.Shame Hindus about their identity

6.Bereft of glue of Hinduism Hindu society dies”

In the tweet, Nageswara attached images describing the "deracination" of Hindus. The first image claimed that in the first 30 years of Independence, Muslims were education ministers for 20 years and leftists for the remaining decade.

These ministers engaged in "widespread distortion of history" and "whitewashing of bloody Islamic invasions" and other activities.

The tweet attracted considerable criticism. Retired diplomat K.C. Singh tweeted, "He may yet live to regret such bigotry. But the nation is already a loser to have such persons in uniform."

Other Twitter users questioned Nageswara Rao's adherence to "constitutional values" expected of a government servant, while some asked whether he was bidding for a post-retirement job. Nageswara Rao is, reportedly, due to retire in a week.

However, despite the criticism, Nageswara Rao was defiant. On Sunday, he tweeted, "Ad hominem attacks neither alter reality nor rebut facts. Rather they confirm it. Some questioned my alleged violation of Constitution &rules. But I ask, do the Constitution &rules ordain abrahamisation of Hindu civilisation? Debate on Facts rather than usual boring propaganda."

Nageswara Rao has not shied away from espousing controversial views on his Twitter handle. On July 20, he tweeted, "Church is biggest real estate holder in India, which generates enormous income. Lease of many prime properties expired long ago. States can auction them to raise funds for vikas."

Nageswara Rao has previously brought up the issue of Abrahamisation in articles he has written for media outlets.

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