Shobha Karandlaje (left), Priyank Kharge (agencies)
NEW DELHI: Union minister of state Shobha Karandlaje on Friday hit back at Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge’s remarks regarding the rashtriya swayamsevak sangh (RSS), calling the RSS a “big tree” that cannot be damaged. The spat follows Kharge’s letter to chief minister Siddaramaiah urging action against government officials who reportedly speak against the Congress government at RSS events.Speaking to ANI, Karandlaje criticized Congress’s historic opposition to the RSS, stating, “Congress has been after the RSS ever since independence, one year after independence, they banned RSS. What happened? In 1975, Indira Gandhi tried to ban the RSS but nothing happened.” She added, “They are so rattled after just one day of route march by the RSS. RSS is a big tree and no one can damage it. Everyone loves and respects the RSS. People like Priyank Kharge can do nothing to the RSS. We are with the RSS. What will he do? Put us in jail?”The controversy arose after Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge alleged that several government officers were participating in RSS events and speaking against the state Congress government. He highlighted the Karnataka state civil service (conduct) rules, 2021, which mandate political neutrality for civil servants. “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,” Kharge told ANI.Kharge also disclosed that show-cause notices have been issued to officials who attended the RSS centenary celebrations, and suspensions are imminent. “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.Clarifying his position, Kharge stressed that civil servants can hold personal ideological beliefs, provided they adhere to 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 added.Rule 5(1) of the Karnataka state civil service (conduct) rules, 2021, specifies, “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.”On his earlier demand to ban RSS activities in government-run schools, colleges, and temples, Kharge said permissions should not be granted for programs outside the prescribed syllabus in these institutions. Go to Source