In a contentious move that has stirred political debate, the Narendra Modi-led central government has decided to lift the long-standing ban on government employees associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This decision, announced in a recent memo, has been met with criticism from various political leaders, including Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.

On Monday, July 22, 2024, the Indian government officially revoked the restrictions imposed on government employees with affiliations to the RSS, a pro-Hindutva organization. The government memo specifically stated the removal of references to the RSS from Office Memorandums dated November 30, 1966, July 25, 1970, and October 28, 1980. This decision effectively ends a ban that had been in place since 1966.

Asaduddin Owaisi, the President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), has sharply criticized the government’s decision. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Owaisi argued that lifting the ban undermines the integrity and unity of India. He highlighted that the RSS had been banned due to its opposition to the Indian Constitution, the national flag, and the national anthem.

Owaisi further criticized the RSS for its oath, which he claimed prioritizes Hindutva over national loyalty. He contended that government employees who are affiliated with the RSS cannot be expected to serve the nation impartially. “The ban on RSS was instituted because of its refusal to accept fundamental symbols of our nation. This new order contradicts our nation’s values,” Owaisi stated on social media.

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, defended the government’s decision by providing historical context. He suggested that the initial ban was imposed following a massive anti-cow-slaughter protest on November 7, 1966, which resulted in significant loss of life due to police firing. Malviya claimed that the ban was a reaction to the influence of the RSS and Jana Sangh, led by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “The ban was a response to the considerable political influence of the RSS-Jana Sangh, following a tragic incident outside Parliament,” Malviya wrote on X.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also weighed in on the issue, recalling the historical ban imposed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1948. Ramesh pointed out that the ban was implemented after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, as there were concerns about RSS’s connection to Gandhi’s assassin, Nathuram Godse. Although the ban was later lifted on the condition of good behavior, Ramesh noted that the RSS’s reluctance to display the national flag in Nagpur persisted. “Sardar Patel’s ban in 1948 followed Gandhi’s assassination and was only lifted with assurances of good conduct,” Ramesh stated.

The decision to lift the ban on RSS affiliations for government employees marks a significant shift in Indian administrative policy. Critics argue that this move could erode the secular ethos of government institutions, while supporters claim it aligns with a broader political vision of inclusivity. The implications of this decision on the perceived neutrality of public service and its alignment with national symbols remain a subject of intense debate.

  Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP, Congress, Government Employees, Historical Ban on RSS, Indian Politics, Narendra Modi, RSS Ban, Sardar Patel