The Central government has recently lifted a decades-old ban prohibiting government employees from participating in activities related to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
This decision has drawn criticism from the Congress party, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh questioning the timing of the move.
Ramesh posted a photo on social media of an order from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) dated July 9, which rescinded a 58-year-old ban on government servants associating with the RSS.
The order also removed references to earlier directives from 1966, 1970, and 1980.
The RSS was originally banned in 1948 after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, an RSS member. Although the ban was later lifted with assurances of good conduct, Ramesh noted that the RSS did not display the national flag in Nagpur during that period.
In 1966, a new ban was imposed. According to Ramesh, this ban addressed concerns about government employees’ involvement with the RSS and the Jamaat-e-Islami, citing potential conflicts with Central Civil Services Conduct Rules.
Ramesh criticized the lifting of the ban, questioning its timing. He noted, “Following June 4, 2024, relations between the self-styled non-biological PM and the RSS have deteriorated. Yet, on July 9, 2024, the 58-year-old ban, which even persisted during Mr. Vajpayee’s tenure, was lifted.”
In response, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya shared the order’s screenshot, praising the move. He argued that the original 1966 ban was unconstitutional and should never have been imposed.