The Indian government’s recent decision to lift a 58-year-old ban on government employees participating in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities has ignited a heated debate, with opposition parties expressing strong disapproval. The Congress party, in particular, has denounced the move, asserting that it will pose a serious challenge to the neutrality of civil servants within government offices.
The Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension issued an official memorandum on July 9th, outlining the removal of the ban. The memorandum stated that the government had decided to eliminate the mention of RSS from earlier directives prohibiting government employees from participating in the organization’s activities.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his party’s condemnation. He highlighted the historical context, recalling the RSS’s opposition to India’s national flag and the ban imposed after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination in 1948. Kharge further asserted that the BJP’s lifting of the ban is part of a broader effort to exert ideological control over government institutions.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his astonishment at the decision, emphasizing the distinct nature of government service and RSS activities. He argued that government employees have a responsibility to serve all citizens impartially and that involvement in RSS activities could compromise this neutrality.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi echoed concerns about the potential impact on the principle of neutrality. He reminded the public that the RSS, after the initial ban, had pledged to respect the Indian Constitution and national flag. Owaisi argued that allowing government employees to participate in RSS activities contradicts this commitment and undermines the diversity and inclusiveness of Indian society.
Congress general secretary of communications Jairam Ramesh further highlighted the RSS’s historical stance, pointing out their past reluctance to embrace the Indian national flag. He emphasized that the lifting of the ban could be seen as a step towards promoting an ideological agenda within government offices.
The lifting of the ban on government employees participating in RSS activities has sparked a major controversy, raising questions about the potential impact on the neutrality of public service and the role of ideology in government institutions. The opposition parties have vowed to continue their efforts to safeguard the principles of the Indian Constitution and uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
