The Karnataka authorities has suspended Praveen Kumar KP, a Panchayat Improvement Officer (PDO) from Raichur district, for taking part in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) centenary march in uniform.
Praveen Kumar KP, serving in Sirwar taluk, Raichur district, was suspended by the Rural Improvement and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Division on October 12. He took half in an RSS centenary route march held in Lingsugur, sporting the organisation’s uniform and carrying a stick, which led to his suspension.
Suspension cites violation of service conduct guidelines
The suspension order, issued by IAS officer Arundhati Chandrashekar, acknowledged that Kumar violated Rule 3 of the Karnataka Civil Providers (Conduct) Guidelines, 2021. These guidelines require authorities officers to keep up political neutrality, self-discipline, and applicable conduct. Kumar will stay suspended with subsistence allowance pending a departmental inquiry.
Political context
This disciplinary motion follows latest tensions between the Karnataka authorities and RSS. IT and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge lately urged the Chief Minister to ban RSS actions in authorities establishments and referred to as for strict motion in opposition to authorities staff linked to the organisation.
Whereas Kharge defended the transfer as enforcement of service guidelines and never focusing on any faith, the BJP condemned the suspension, calling it politically motivated and accusing the Congress of intolerance in direction of Hindu organisations.