Over 80 ex-bureaucrats accuse BJP govt of changing character of services

82 former civil servants have written a letter to President Draupadi Murmu, alleging “systematic efforts” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to change the character of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS). ” Still working.

Calling themselves the Constitutional Practices Group, these former bureaucrats “fear” that the central government is trying to subvert the historical understanding that civil services are meant to be independent, neutral and not adhere to any political ideology in the discharge of official duties. Should not be done.

He said these changes have fundamentally changed the principles envisioned by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel—also known as the “Patron Saint of the IAS”. They fear that the soldiers will be replaced by “criminal soldiers” whose loyalty will be to the party in power and not to the Constitution of India.

The group cited several instances where measures have been taken to jeopardize the “unique federal design” of the IAS and IPS. They allege that there have been “noticeable attempts” to coerce officers to show special loyalty to the Union rather than the “original” state cadre they were allotted. He further wrote that “opacity in the recruitment process” has been observed at the mid-level and the candidates concerned were being selected on the basis of ideological biases.

In addition, the group said that the actions and words of some “very senior officials” of the central government have increased their concern for the future of the civil services.

He cited the speech of the National Security Advisor at the passing out parade ceremony of IPS officers in 2021. The bureaucrats alleged that the NSA urged civil servants to treat civil society as the “fourth generation of the war” which can be manipulated to subvert, subjugate, divide and hurt the nation’s interest. He argued that the above-mentioned sentiments were “contrary to any democratic system” and were only aimed at keeping civil society in a state of conflict with the state.

Another example cited in the letter was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Civil Services Day last month. He said Modi’s call to officials to deal firmly with the malfeasance of political parties was “neutrally worded”, but his “intent and objective were unmistakable”.