Another Karnataka staffer suspended for attending RSS event, more on radar

The Congress-led Karnataka government on Wednesday suspended another government employee for attending an event organised by the Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS), escalating tensions over the state's recent crackdown on officials linked to the Hindu outfit.

The Tahsildar of Basavakalyan has issued a gate pass and suspended contract-based staff member Pramod, who worked as a cook's assistant at the Pre-Matric Boys' Hostel. Pramod allegedly joined the RSS Path Sanchalan held in Basavakalyan. Under service rules in Karnataka, employees on the government payroll are barred from associating with private organisations or their events.

The suspension has stirred wider crackdown fear as several teachers and officials were also spotted at the event. Viral photos showed Ramesh Rajoale, Headmaster of Alagood, and Somanath Belure, Headmaster of Kitta School, marching in the rally. Another image shows Ashok Reddy, Principal of Neelambika College, present at the procession.

Officials estimate that more than 20 government employees attended the Path Sanchalan event. With the suspension of the hostel staffer, pressure is mounting on other government workers who were photographed at the event.

This came just days after Praveen Kumar KP, a Panchayat Development Officer in Raichur district, was suspended for attending a similar RSS march in Sirawar. He was seen in RSS uniform, participating in the route march with a stick, which authorities deemed a "violation of conduct rules" for state employees.

The disciplinary actions followed a letter from Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking strict measures against officials attending RSS programmes.

The move drew sharp criticism from the opposition BJP, with the party's Yuva Morcha chief Tejasvi Surya calling the suspension "illegal and unlawful", pledging to support the suspended employees in court.

"There are multiple judgments from across high courts which have upheld government servants' right to participate in RSS programmes. I have no doubt this unlawful suspension will be quashed," Surya wrote on X.

The suspension order cited violations of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against Praveen Kumar.

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