Why in the News?

Following 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.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About DoPT’s Circular (Purpose, Historical Context, Existing Rules, Impact, etc.)

Removal of Restrictions on RSS Activities for Government Employees:

• The Centre has decided to remove the prohibition on government officials participating in activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
  • This restriction has been in place for almost six decades.
• Following a directive issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) earlier this month, employees can now engage in RSS activities without facing disciplinary action under the applicable conduct rules.

• 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:

• Previous Circulars:
  • 1966 Circular: Issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, it prohibited government servants from participating in RSS and Jamaat-e-Islami activities, citing Rule 5 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
  • 1970 Circular: Reiterated the 1966 directive and stressed disciplinary action against violators.
  • 1980 Circular: Emphasized the need for secularism among government servants and reiterated previous orders against communal organizations.
• The RSS has always maintained that it is a non-political, cultural organization, unaffected by such restrictions.

Rule 5 of Conduct Rules:

• Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964: Prohibits government servants from associating with political parties or organizations involved in politics.
• All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968: Similar to the 1964 Rules, applicable to IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service officers.
• 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 could lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal.
  • Determining political nature or association with the RSS was challenging due to its informal membership system.

Implications of the DoPT’s Circular:

• The new directive implies that the RSS is not considered a political organization, allowing government employees to participate in its activities without violating conduct rules.
• However, the Jamaat-e-Islami remains classified as a political organization.
• Applicability to State Government Employees:
  • Recent circular applies only to central government employees.
  • State governments have their own conduct rules, and their stance on RSS participation varies.

Conclusion:

The removal of the restriction on participating in RSS activities marks a significant change in the government's approach to its conduct rules, reflecting a shift in policy after several decades.