Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, June 3: Administration in BJP-led Central Government ruled J&K Union Territory is soliciting information about the employees’ having any link with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological patron of the saffron party.
The General Administration Department of J&K is learnt to have forwarded an RTI application to various departments for necessary action over seeking information regarding number of employees in different Government bodies ‘working as Over Ground Workers and Under Ground Workers of RSS’.
Besides, sources said that the information has also been sought on detail list of employees actively participating in the ‘Shakhas’ being held by RSS across the Union Territory of J&K.
Notwithstanding the fact that information in this regard does not pertain to official record and hence not required to be submitted in response to an RTI application, the Central Public Information Officer of GAD, vide communication number O.M.No: GAD (Adm) RTI/31/2021, dated 19-04-2021, forwarded the application under RTI Act 2005 to different departments for necessary action within stipulated time.
More ironic is the response of some departments, including a few colleges in Jammu, which have not only solicited the required information from their employees on a format but also secured undertaking from them stating that they were not having any link or affiliation with RSS.
In view of the Covid lockdown, sources said that the employees in Higher Education Department were directed to submit the required information through Google file and upload the same on an account.
Even as some colleges replied with a note than such information does not pertain to office record, sources said that a few heads of the institutions enthusiastically went ahead with the direction to provide the requisite information to the concerned along with undertaking from the employees.
Pertinent to be mentioned that RSS is an Indian right-wing Hindu nationalist volunteer organization having very close ideological and organizational link with the ruling BJP. Having several affiliated organisations that established numerous schools, charities, and clubs to spread its ideological beliefs, RSS has network of ‘Shakhas’ across the country, including Jammu Kashmir Union Territory.
Even as J&K Civil Services Conduct Rules do not restrict a Government employee from having affiliation with any non-political social or religious organization like RSS, the format of undertaking solicited from the employees with regard to their link with RSS gives an impression if Sangh Parivar is a banned organization like Jamaat-e-Islami, said some employees.
It may be recalled that on February 28, 2019, the Central Government had announced a blanket ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K), after arresting scores of its members, who were allegedly indulging in activities prejudicial to internal security and public order and have potential of disrupting the unity and integrity of the country.
Besides seeking list of employees having link with RSS, the RTI has also sought to know whether such employees have obtained due permission from the General Administration Department and what action the JK Government has taken against those erring officials who have no such permission.
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