Lifting ban on government personnel participating in RSS activities causes controversy
The ban was imposed on November 7, 1966 after a massive anti-cow-slaughter protest at the Parliament by RSS-Jana Sangh in which many died in police firing.
Following the government of India’s decision to abolish the restriction on government personnel participating in RSS activities causes controversy, the opposition and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are engaged in a political debate.
BJP spokesman Amit Malviya stated, “The Modi government has withdrawn the unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago, in 1966, imposing a ban on government employees taking part in the activities of the RSS.” in a post on X (previously Twitter). It was wrong to approve the first order in the first place.”
“The ban was imposed because, on November 7, 1966, there was a massive anti-cow-slaughter protest at the Parliament. RSS-Jana Sangh mobilised support in lakhs. Many died in police firing. On 30 Nov 1966, shaken by the RSS-Jana Sangh clout, Indira Gandhi banned Govt staff from joining the RSS,” he said.
KC Venugopal, a Congress MP, referred to the Ministry of Personnel’s directive as a “very unfortunate move” and said that the federal government, led by the BJP, was not taking the people’s decision seriously.
The government’s decision to relax the prohibition on government personnel engaging in RSS activities was also criticized by AIMIM head Asaduddin Owaisi. This goes against the integrity and unity of India, if it is true. The national song, flag, and constitution were all rejected by RSS, which is why it is prohibited.”
“Every RSS member takes an oath that puts Hindutva above the nation. No civil servant can be loyal to the nation if he is a member of RSS…,” Owaisi added.
The Union administration was sharply criticized by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, who asserted that the restriction, which had been maintained even under previous Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had been withdrawn on July 9.
In remembrance of Sardar Patel, the Congress leader noted that the prohibition on promises of good behavior was later lifted. Patel had outlawed the RSS in February 1948. “The RSS never flew the Tiranga in Nagpur even after this. Government personnel who participated in RSS activities were prohibited from doing so in 1966, and this was a just decision, he stated.
“…relations between the self-anointed non-biological PM and the RSS have nosedived. On July 9, 2024, the 58-year ban that was in force even during Mr. Vajpayee’s tenure as PM was removed. The bureaucracy can now come in knickers too, I suppose,” he added.
You might also be interested in – RSS-linked magazine calls Lok Sabha results a ‘reality check’ for overconfident BJP workers
