Minister Priyank Kharge has warned government employees against participating in political activities like RSS. Calling it a violation of service rules, he has directed to immediately suspend those who break the rules. A report has also been sought in this matter.
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has taken serious note of the participation of some government employees in political activities in the state, especially in programs of organizations like RSS. He has given a strict warning to immediately suspend those who break the rules. Priyank Kharge said, “Karnataka Civil Service Rules are in force in the state. There is a clear rule that government employees cannot get too involved in political activities. Yet, recently some people were giving speeches at RSS functions. Some people from our department also went.”
If rules are broken, suspension is certain
I have sought a report on government officials participating in RSS programs. As soon as the report comes, I will take legal action against him and suspend him. I will also raise this matter in the cabinet meeting today. The Chief Minister has also agreed to this. Also, on the issue of banning the activities of such organizations in schools, colleges and government campuses, he said, “I never took the name of just one organization (RSS). Whatever be the organization, they should not misuse government employees or government property.”
Mention of Shettar government’s order
Kharge reminded that orders in this regard had already been issued. “There is an order from 2012 itself. When Jagadish Shettar was the Chief Minister, he had ordered that ‘such people cannot participate in schools’. Earlier also many departments have issued orders. Today there are shortcomings in it, that is why all these have increased.” On the point of some people that ‘Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi had not banned RSS’, he replied, ‘Yes, we are saying that it was not right to withdraw the decision that day’.
Warning on Guru Purnima donations
On government employees collecting donations, Kharge warned, ‘You donate officially. I had raised this issue two years ago. During Guru Purnima, up to ₹ 2 thousand were taken from PDO. Donate your personal money to whoever you want. But, don’t give government money. Government officials should not misuse government money.”
Criticism of Hindutva politics
Meanwhile, in response to a question on Hindutva, he said, ‘Who brought Hindutva? Savarkar was the one who brought Hindutva? Earlier everyone was Hindu only. They have brought Hindutva to bake their political bread. Some things I don’t believe in. My mother does. But, my faith should not cause trouble to others and the spirit of the Constitution should not be hurt. There are money or other political reasons behind BJP coming to power in states like Assam, Mizoram, Goa.”