The Uttarakhand government has announced that state employees are now allowed to participate in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities, as long as it does not interfere with their official duties. This decision marks a significant shift, as it overrides previous restrictions and follows a similar move by the central government.
The new directive, issued by Additional Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan, clarifies that state employees can take part in RSS programs, including morning and evening meetings, as well as cultural and social events, without violating the Uttarakhand State Employees Conduct Rules, 2002. However, this participation is limited to times outside regular office hours.
The official order, dated September 5, 2024, states, "Participation of any government employee in RSS branch activities will not be considered a breach of conduct, provided it does not affect their responsibilities at work." The guidelines emphasize that such participation should occur only before or after office hours, ensuring that it does not hinder official duties.
This decision supersedes all previous government orders that restricted employee involvement in RSS activities. The central government had already lifted a similar 58-year-old ban, which had been imposed in 1966 during the tenure of Indira Gandhi, following anti-cow-slaughter protests led by RSS-Jana Sangh supporters. The ban had prohibited government employees from participating in RSS activities.
The recent revocation of this restriction has sparked discussions, with BJP leaders stating that the original ban was "unconstitutional" and should never have been imposed.
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