New Delhi. The ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), under which government employees were prohibited from attending the programs of the Sangh, has been lifted. This decision was taken 58 years ago by Indira Gandhi’s government, which has been overturned by the Modi government at the Center. The Home Ministry of the Government of India has issued an order and lifted the ban on government employees participating in the activities of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
This information was given by BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya in a statement issued on X. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has welcomed this order. The central government has amended the orders issued by the then governments in 1966, 1970 and 1980, which prohibited government employees from joining RSS branches and its other activities.
It is alleged that the previous Congress governments had banned government employees from participating in the programs of the Sangh. A provision was even made to give severe punishment to employees for participating in the activities of the RSS. Keeping in mind the pension benefits after retirement etc., government employees used to avoid participating in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Why was RSS banned 58 years ago and what was the argument
Justifying the decision to ban government employees from attending RSS programs, the government had then argued that the neutrality of employees can be affected due to RSS. Apart from this, it was also said that this will not be considered appropriate for a secular society. That is, if government employees go to RSS shakha, then it will not be good for secularism. And that is why, citing the Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964, a ban was imposed on government employees attending RSS programs.
What does the Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, citing which the RSS was banned 58 years ago, say?
Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 states that no Government servant shall be a member of any political party.
1. Shall not be a member of any organisation taking part in politics,
2. Government servants will not take part in political movements.
3. Government servants will not engage in political activity.
But the most interesting thing is that the RSS has been known as a cultural and social service organization. Despite this, RSS was banned citing the rule of politics.
However, in the meantime, many state governments including Madhya Pradesh had repealed this order, but even after this, it remained valid at the level of the central government. A case was going on in Indore court in this matter, on which the court had sought clarification from the central government. Taking action on this, the central government issued an order and announced the end of the said restrictions.
What did the Centre say in its order?
Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh shared an office memorandum issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on July 9, which deals with the participation of government employees in RSS activities. The said order said, “The above instructions have been reviewed and it has been decided to delete the mention of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from the relevant office memorandums dated 30 November 1966, 25 July 1970 and 28 October 1980.”
In a post with a picture of the order, Ramesh said, “Sardar Patel had banned the RSS after Gandhiji’s assassination in February 1948. Later, the ban was lifted on the assurance of good conduct. Even after this, the RSS never hoisted the tricolor in Nagpur.” He said in the post, “In 1966, a ban was imposed on government employees participating in RSS activities and it was the right decision too. This is the official order issued in 1966 to impose the ban.”
What did Sardar Patel say about RSS?
In a speech Sardar Patel had said, “We are dealing with the RSS movement in the government. They want a Hindu state or Hindu culture to be imposed by force. No government can tolerate this. There are almost as many Muslims in this country as there are in the partitioned part. We are not going to drive them away. Despite the partition and all that happened, it would be a bad day if we started that game. We must understand that they will remain here and it is our duty and our responsibility to make them feel that this is their country. Of course, on the other hand, it is their responsibility to discharge their duties as citizens of this country.” Patel finally said, “Both of us must understand that partition is a thing of the past.”
Congress leader attacked the central government regarding the decision
Criticising the central government’s decision, Ramesh said, “After June 4, 2024, the relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS has soured. On July 9, 2024, the 58-year-old ban was lifted, which was in place even during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister.” Ramesh said, “I believe that bureaucracy can now come in shorts as well.” The Congress leader said this while pointing to the RSS’s khaki shorts uniform, which was replaced by brown trousers in 2016.
(Also from input agency)
Tags: BJP, Congress, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 22, 2024, 18:24 IST