Central government employees cannot join RSS under the conduct rules
29 Jan, 2013The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) claims that it is a cultural organisation but the Central government does not regard it as a cultural organisation which the government employees can join. Since 1966, the participation of central government officials in the activities has been barred under the conduct rules.
Reply by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has shown that as per the rules, “No government servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics.” Any government servant, who is a member of or is otherwise associated with the organisations (RSS and Jamaat-e-Islami) or with their activities is liable to disciplinary action. In 1966, this provision was added in the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and is applicable till date. There has been no change in the legal position even during the BJP rule at the Centre during 1998-2004.
In the case of the state government employees, no instructions have been issued by DoPT. However, in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, the BJP governments have passed instructions in 2006 and 2004 respectively which permit the government employees to join RSS.
The RSS was been included in the list of banned organisation on three occasions, firstly after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi; secondly, during emergency; and lastly, after the demolition of Babri Masjid.