A day after Governor Ram Naik left the BJP red faced by saying that Kasganj communal riot was a matter of shame and a blot on the state’, District Magistrate of Bareilly Raghvendra Vikram Singh stirred a hornets’ nest by posting on Facebook that Rs it had become a trend for people to forcefully enter Muslim-dominated areas, raise anti-Pakistan slogans and then create ruckus’.   Following the displeasure expressed by the state government, the district magistrate not only deleted his post, but also sought to explain his stand maintaining that his view had been misconstrued and apologised. “I had hoped that there will be academic discussion on the issue but unfortunately it has taken a different turn. It appears that not only many people have objections, but were also pained by the post.  I had no intention to hurt anybody as strengthening communal harmony is not only administrative but also our moral responsibility. Muslims are our brothers and we have the same DNA.

The sooner we realize the spirit of integration and harmony, the better for the nation. Pakistan is our enemy but there is no doubt that Indian Muslims are our own and brothers. I wish to end this debate and I do apologise to my friends and brothers, if they were pained due to me,” the DM said in his post. Predictably, the BJP government was quick to respond. The government warned that the district magistrate will be held accountable for the Rs act of indiscretion’ and was summoned to lucknow.  “Facebook par gyaan baantte hai (he is enlightening people on Facebook). The district magistrate is talking like the spokesman of a party. The government will take action against the officer as in the past too he had uploaded controversial posts on social media,’’ said Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya in lucknow on Tuesday. Governments spokesman and Energy minister Srikant Sharma said that government officials should focus on administration rather than involving themselves in controversy and making posts on social media. However, Finance minister and MlA from Bareilly Rajesh Agarwal defended the officer. “I have not read the comment posted by DM Bareilly yet, but considering he is a former Army officer, I can say he will never say anything against our country or in favour of Pakistan.”

Another BJP MlA from Bitheri Chainpur seat of Bareilly, Rajesh Mishra criticised the officer saying, “Every Indian has a right to hoist the tricolour and take out Tiranga Yatra. There is no need for prior permission to celebrate Republic day.’’ DM of Bareilly, Raghevendra Vikram Singh (59), served a Short Service Commission in Indian Army before joining state civil services. After promotion to the IAS in 2005, Singh was posted as DM off Bareilly last year.