- विज्ञापन -
The Congress and BJP have engaged in a heated debate following the release of a purported government order lifting a long-standing ban on government employees participating in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities. Congress leaders shared the order on social media, claiming the Modi government has revoked a directive in place since 1966. BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya also circulated the order, declaring that an “unconstitutional” directive issued 58 years ago has now been withdrawn.
The authenticity of the order, which surfaced on the social media platform X, has yet to be confirmed. The controversy arose when Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh posted an office memorandum dated July 9, allegedly from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions. The document references previous office memoranda from 1966, 1970, and 1980, which prohibited government servants from participating in RSS activities.
“The undersigned is directed to refer to the OM (office memorandum) dated 30.11.1966, OM No. 7/4/70-Est.(B) dated 25.07.1970, and OM No. 15014/3(S)/80-Estt. (B) dated 28.10.1980 on the above subject. The aforesaid instructions have been reviewed, and it has been decided to remove the mention of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (R.S.S.) from the impugned OMs dated 30.11.1966, 25.07.1970, and 28.10.1980,” the alleged order reads.
Ramesh criticized the decision, highlighting that Sardar Patel had banned the RSS in February 1948 after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, a ban that was lifted upon assurances of good behavior. He added that despite the lifting of the ban, the RSS did not hoist the national flag in Nagpur. He noted the 1966 directive that prohibited government employees from engaging in RSS activities, asserting its necessity at the time.
Relations between the Modi government and the RSS have soured since June 4, 2024, Ramesh claimed. “On July 9, 2024, the 58-year ban that was in force even during Mr. Vajpayee’s tenure as PM was removed,” he stated. Ramesh also made a jibe at the RSS uniform, suggesting that bureaucrats might now adopt the khaki shorts traditionally worn by RSS members until they were replaced by brown trousers in 2016.
BJP’s Amit Malviya responded by labeling the original ban as unconstitutional and unjust, celebrating its withdrawal by the Modi government. He reiterated that the order should never have been implemented. Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the historical context of the ban and criticizing its recent revocation by the current administration.
As political leaders on both sides continue to exchange barbs over the issue, the public awaits official confirmation and further clarification regarding the purported order.
