Naveen Payal, a resident of Mandawa in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, was arrested by local police on June 22, 2026, for sharing a video on social media that showed children exercising alongside an active Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakha. His mobile phone was also seized.
Congress Leaders Condemn Arrest
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate posted the video on her X handle and criticized the arrest. She said, "Mandawa's Naveen was arrested by Jhunjhunu police for this video, and his mobile was also seized. In this video, on one side an RSS shakha is ongoing, on the other side children are working hard. What wrong is shown in it?" She accused the RSS of spreading hate and questioned how many more people would be arrested.
Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully also condemned the arrest. Jully stated that the action was not taken within the framework of law but was carried out by the police under pressure from the government.
Allegations of Political Pressure
In a post on X, Jully said the ideology of the RSS has always promoted hatred, division, and ideological intolerance in society. He described the arrest and seizure of Naveen's phone as extremely shameful and an attack on democratic values. According to Jully, the action reflects a system functioning under political pressure from those in power, not the rule of law.
Background of the Incident
The video in question showed an RSS shakha in progress while children were exercising nearby. The police action has sparked a debate on freedom of speech and expression in India, with critics accusing the government of suppressing dissent.
