Removal of Restrictions on RSS Activities for Government Employees

Context

According to a directive from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) earlier this month, employees can now engage in activities of the RSS without facing disciplinary action under the applicable conduct rules.

About

• The Centre has decided to remove the prohibition on government officers participating in activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• This restriction has been in place for nearly six decades.
• Following a directive issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) earlier this month, employees can now interact in RSS activities without dealing with disciplinary action under the applicable conduct policies.
• Purpose: The directive reviewed and removed mentions of the RSS from Official Memorandums dated November 30, 1966, July 25, 1970, and October 28, 1980.

Historical Context

• 1966 Circular: Issued through the Ministry of Home Affairs, it prohibited government servants from participating in RSS and Jamaat-e-Islami activities, mentioning Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
• 1970 Circular: Reiterated the 1966 directive and pressured disciplinary action towards violators.
• 1980 Circular: Emphasized the want for secularism among government servants and reiterated preceding orders against communal businesses.
  • The RSS has constantly maintained that it’s a non-political, cultural business enterprise, unaffected by such restrictions.

Rule five of Conduct Rules

• Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964: Prohibits government servants from associating with political parties or corporations worried in politics.
• All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968: Similar to the 1964 Rules, relevant to IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service officials.
• Prior: Before the 1964 and 1968 Rules, the Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1949, prohibited political activities by government employees.

Violations and Consequences

• Violations of Rule 5 should lead to disciplinary action, consisting of dismissal.
• Determining political nature or affiliation with the RSS changed into tough because of its informal party system.

Implications of the DoPT’s Circular

• • The new directive implies that the RSS isn’t always considered a political employer, permitting government personnel to participate in its activities without violating conduct regulations.
  • However, the Jamaat-e-Islami remains categorised as a political organisation.

• Applicability to State Government Employees:

• • Recent round applies most effectively to central government personnel.
  • State governments have their very own conduct policies, and their stance on RSS participation varies.

Conclusion

• The removal of the limit on collaborating in RSS activities marks a huge change in the government’s method to its conduct policies, reflecting a shift in coverage after a long time.

Source: The Indian Express