The letter stresses the vital importance of preserving political neutrality within the civil service to maintain an administration that is fair, unbiased, and aligned with the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A wide spectrum of former government officials, former bureaucrats and concerned citizens on Monday called for the re-imposition of the ban preventing civil servants and government officials from formally affiliating with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or any other politically aligned organisation.
In an open letter to President Draupadi Murmu, members of the Peoples’ Commission on Public Sector and Services (PCPSPS) stressed the vital importance of preserving political neutrality within the civil service to maintain an administration that is fair, unbiased, and aligned with the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution.
The PCPSPS includes eminent academics, jurists, erstwhile administrators, trade unionists and social activists.
The Narendra Modi-led central government lifted the decades-old ban on government employees associating with the RSS and its activities in July this year. The order, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), stating that the ban on government staff taking part in RSS activities, which was in place since 1966, has been removed.
The letter, a copy of which has been secured by Clarion India, highlights the pivotal role civil servants play in implementing laws and policies, which must be executed impartially to ensure the public’s confidence in government neutrality. “Permitting civil servants to associate with political organisations — especially those with a distinct political agenda — risks compromising this essential impartiality. Political neutrality is fundamental to ensure that government actions genuinely reflect the diverse interests of all citizens, rather than aligning with any particular ideology,” the letter said.
Furthermore, the letter underscores that the RSS, through its mission statements and actions, operates as a political entity closely aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “The RSS’s involvement in promoting political ideology—particularly the ideology of Hindutva — establishes it as more than a cultural organisation. Historical actions, statements by its leaders, and foundational principles reveal active political engagement, making it inappropriate for civil servants to participate as members of this or any similarly positioned organisation, the letter said.
The appeal also raises concerns about the broader implications of allowing political affiliations among civil servants. If the ban is not reinstated, it risks creating a precedent that could see government officials affiliating with other political organisations, undermining the principle of a neutral and independent civil service. Such affiliations could erode the essential separation of state functions from political interests, which is a cornerstone of India’s democratic framework.
The letter says: “The Indian Constitution upholds the independence of civil servants, shielding them from political affiliations and retribution to ensure they serve without bias. Articles 309 to 311 of the Constitution reflect this value, aiming to guarantee that public servants operate free from political pressures, serving only the broader national interest. Removing the ban jeopardises this safeguard, threatening the democratic structure that has held India’s diverse and pluralistic society together.”
Additionally, the letter proposes a mandatory “cooling-off period” of three years for senior officials, judges, and regulators following retirement before they assume roles with politically affiliated organisations. This cooling-off period is seen as essential to uphold public confidence in the judiciary and administration and to maintain their objectivity.
In closing, the appeal calls upon the President to reconsider the government’s decision to lift the ban, warning that its continuation could destabilise India’s democratic foundation. By re-imposing the prohibition on political affiliations for civil servants, India would make a critical stand to uphold the values of impartiality, transparency, and unity essential to its democracy.
