Karnataka Govt Hostel Cook Suspended In Bidar For Attending RSS March

Last Updated:October 23, 2025, 09:52 IST

Pramod Kumar, who had been working as an assistant cook at the Pre-Matric Boys’ Hostel in Basavakalyan, was relieved was October 21 after a civil rights activist’s complaint

Pramod Kumar was a contractual employee outsourced through the Bidar District Labour Services Multipurpose Cooperative Society. (News18)

Days after a Panchayat Development Officer in Raichur district was suspended for allegedly participating in a uniformed event of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), another Karnataka government employee has been relieved from his duties.

Pramod Kumar, who had been working as an assistant cook at the Pre-Matric Boys’ Hostel in Basavakalyan under the Backward Classes Welfare Department, has been suspended for participating in the event. Kumar was a contractual employee outsourced through the Bidar District Labour Services Multipurpose Cooperative Society, which provides manpower to various government departments.

The action followed a complaint filed by Gagan Phule—president of the Committee for Protecting Democracy and a civil rights activist in Bidar—with the District Backward Classes Welfare Officer (DBCWO) on October 20, objecting to Kumar’s participation in the RSS route march.

Following an internal inquiry and after a video of him at the event surfaced on social media, the DBCWO officer initiated an internal department inquiry and later recommended Kumar’s suspension.

The employee had also reportedly shared a photograph from the RSS event on his WhatsApp status, which brought about the complaint.

Based on directions received from the DBCWO, Kumar was officially relieved from service on October 21. According to the official communication issued to him, since he was employed in a government-funded institution, taking part in the activities of any organisation was “prohibited under law".

The letter addressed to the Secretaries/Chief Administrative Officers of the Bidar District Labour Services Multipurpose Cooperative Society and the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Bidar, stated: “Shri Gagan Phule filed a complaint on 20.10.2025 to the Hon’ble District Backward Classes Welfare Officer, Bidar, through a WhatsApp message, that Mr. Pramod Kumar, son of Ashok Kumar, Kitchen Assistant, was involved in RSS Path Sanchalan programme. Permanent/external resource staff who are drawing salary from the government are prohibited from participating in any organisations as per the law."

The letter, which News18 has a copy of, has been signed by the Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer, Basavakalyan.

Last week, a Panchayat Development Officer, Praveen Kumar KP, from Raichur, was also suspended for attending the RSS centenary celebration in Lingsugur. The suspension cited the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, which bar government employees from joining or participating in organisations with political affiliations.

The suspension had triggered a war of words in Karnataka, with the Congress and the BJP locking horns over the issue. The action followed after Congress minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking action against government officers and employees associated with the RSS, and those who are taking part in their events.

However, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya called the officer’s suspension “unlawful" and said he would appear before the tribunal to challenge the decision. “I have spoken to the officer suspended for taking part in RSS Pathsanchalan by the State Government. Assured him that I will personally appear before the concerned tribunal and courts to challenge this illegal and unlawful suspension," the BJP MP wrote on X.

Rohini Swamy

Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t...Read More

Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously worked with t...

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