Praveen Kumar, a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) serving in Sirwar taluk, has been suspended by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. The suspension follows allegations of his participation in an event organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Lingsagur, Raichur district, Karnataka, on October 12. During the event, Kumar was reportedly seen wearing the distinctive uniform of the RSS.
Arundhati Chandrasekhar, Commissioner of the RDPR Department, issued the suspension order, stating that Mr. Kumar’s actions constitute a violation of established service rules for government employees regarding participation in such organizations. The department is taking a serious view of the matter, emphasizing the need for public servants to adhere to regulations.
Images depicting Mr. Kumar in the traditional ganavesh (uniform worn by RSS workers), complete with a lathi (staff), quickly spread across various social media platforms. These viral photos garnered widespread attention, prompting the swift disciplinary action.
This suspension marks the beginning of a formal departmental enquiry that Mr. Kumar is now expected to face regarding his involvement in the RSS event.