A Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) in Karnataka’s Raichur district has reportedly been suspended for attending an event organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP. This action follows a directive from Karnataka’s rural development and panchayat raj minister, Priyank Kharge, who urged the chief minister to take disciplinary action against government employees involved with the RSS or its programs. The state cabinet had recently decided to prohibit activities of private organizations, including the RSS, in educational institutions and public spaces.
Praveen Kumar KP, the officer in question, who is posted at Sirawar Taluk Panchayat, was suspended after being observed participating in an RSS route march in Lingsugur on October 12, while wearing the organization’s traditional attire. According to the suspension order, issued by IAS officer Arundhati Chandrashekar, Praveen Kumar’s participation violated Rule 3 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, which mandates political neutrality and integrity for government employees. His conduct was deemed inconsistent with public servant standards, leading to a departmental inquiry and his suspension on subsistence allowance.
Violation of Conduct Rules Cited
The government order stated that Praveen Kumar’s attendance at the RSS event was a breach of conduct rules. He was found to have participated in a route march organized by the RSS on October 12 in Lingsugur.
BJP Condemns Suspension, Calls it ‘Anti-Hindu’
The opposition BJP has strongly criticized the suspension, with state BJP chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa accusing the ruling Congress party of targeting Hindu organizations. He described the suspension as an act driven by malice and a “perverse and anti-Hindu mindset.” Yediyurappa demanded an immediate revocation of the suspension with an apology, threatening constitutional and democratic responses if the demand is not met. He further stated that this incident signals the start of an “assault on patriotic sentiments using government machinery.”