"Officers speak against govt at RSS functions": Priyank Kharge justifies his letter urging action against officials

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 16 : Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday alleged that government officers speak against the Congress government in the State at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) events, as he justified his letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging action against the officials participating in such programs.
Kharge demanded the implementation of the Karnataka State Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021, which ask the civil servants to be politically neutral in their conduct.
The Congress leader told ANI, "It is not my rule. It is the rule of the Karnataka Civil Service, where they have very clearly stated that people cannot participate in programs or be associated with associations that have political leanings. It has come to our notice that a lot of PDOs, village accountants and other state officers are going around and speaking against the government at RSS functions. That needs to be implemented."
He said that the government officers who took part in RSS' centenary celebrations have been served show-cause notices, and will be suspended.
"In my own department, there are a lot of people who have attended the centenary celebrations of RSS... I've already issued them show-cause notices, and they'll be suspended in a day or two," he said.
Kharge clarified that a government officer following an ideology is not a problem, as long as they follow the rules.
"There is a framework that governs civil servants in the State cadre, and we're just asking that needs to be implemented... We have no issues with anybody following any association or any ideology, but if you want to be an employee of the state government of Karnataka, there are rules you have to follow," he said.
Rule 5(1) of the Karnataka State Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021, states, "No Government Servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organization which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity."
Addressing the row over his request to ban RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, he said that permissions should not be granted for activities outside the syllabus in government schools and colleges.
He said, "In 2013, when Jagadish Shettar was the CM, he said that activities that are in the syllabus should be practised within the government schools and colleges, and no other activities shall be given permission. So what does that make the BJP, anti-RSS? I am also asking the same thing."
Earlier, Kharge wrote a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to take action against the officials participating in RSS programs.
Referring to Rule 5(1), the Congress leader alleged that government officials have violated the rule by taking part in RSS' activities.
"As per Rule 5(1) of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021, for Government servants in the State of Karnataka, the following rule is already in force. No Government servant shall be a member of, or otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation engaged in politics, or shall take part in any political movement or activity, shall not be solicited for its support or shall render any assistance thereto. It has been observed that government officials and employees are participating in the programs and activities organised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and other organisations in recent times, despite the clear direction," Kharge stated in the letter.
He requested CM Siddaramaiah to issue a circular warning that disciplinary action will be taken against officials who violate these rules.
"It has been requested to strictly prohibit the government officers and employees of the state from participating in the programs and activities organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and other organisations and to issue a circular stating disciplinary action against the violators," he wrote.