In a significant policy shift, the Modi-led central government has revoked a 58-year-old ban that prevented government employees from associating with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This move, announced on July 9, 2024, has sparked a vehement backlash from opposition parties, who argue that it undermines India’s secular fabric.
The ban on government employees participating in RSS activities was originally instituted in 1966. This prohibition was part of broader efforts to maintain the political neutrality of government servants and prevent any ideological bias from influencing their official duties. The RSS, a Hindu nationalist organization, has often been at the center of political controversy in India.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh was among the first to highlight the lifting of the ban. He shared a copy of the Department of Personnel and Training’s order on social media, which explicitly stated the revocation of the 1966 directive. Ramesh also reminded the public of the historical context behind the original ban. Following Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination by Nathuram Godse in 1948, the RSS faced severe scrutiny and was temporarily banned. Although the ban was lifted later, with the RSS promising good conduct, the organization has remained controversial.
Ramesh’s post emphasized that the 1966 ban was not arbitrary. It specifically targeted any association between government employees and the RSS or the Jamaat-e-Islami, underlining the government’s intent to preserve secularism and prevent communal influences within the bureaucracy. This ban persisted through various administrations, including during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister, despite his Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) close ties with the RSS.
The recent decision to lift the ban comes amid speculations about internal rifts between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS. Critics argue that the lifting of the ban is an attempt by Modi to placate the RSS. Ramesh contends that this move will allow the RSS to exert undue influence over the administrative machinery, compromising its impartiality.
Hyderabad MP and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi also condemned the decision, labeling it a threat to India’s unity and integrity. He argued that RSS members prioritize their commitment to Hindutva over national loyalty. Allowing government employees to openly associate with the RSS, he suggested, could erode their allegiance to the nation.
The lifting of the ban represents a pivotal moment in India’s political landscape. It highlights the ongoing tensions between secularism and religious nationalism that have shaped Indian politics for decades. As the debate continues, the implications of this policy change will likely reverberate through India’s bureaucratic and political spheres, influencing the country’s future trajectory.
Read more: https://thelocaljournalist.com/upsc-chairperson-manoj-soni-resigns-unexpectedly/
