The Narendra Modi-led Central government has lifted a decades-old ban which prohibited government employees from associating with the Rashtriya Swayamevak Sangh and its activities, said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
In a social media post on X, the Congress leader shared a purported order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) dated July 9, stating that the ban on government staff participating in the RSS activities has been removed.
The Nagpur-based right-wing organisation was initially declared an unlawful organisation in 1948 due to concerns over its activities after one of its members, Nathuram Godse, assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
In the post, Ramesh said that a ban was put on the RSS by Sardar Patel in February 1948 following Gandhiji's assassination. " Subsequently, the ban was withdrawn on assurances of good behaviour. Even after this the RSS never flew the Tiranga in Nagpur," he added.
A fresh ban was introduced in 1966, prohibiting government employees from taking part in RSS activities. "It was the right decision," said Ramesh.
The Congress leader slammed the government over the said order lifting the ban saying: "After June 4th, 2024, relations between the self-anointed non-biological PM and the RSS have nosedived. On July 9, 2024, the 58-year ban that was in force even during Mr Vajpayee's tenure as PM was removed."
"I believe that bureaucracy can now even come in shorts," jabbed the Congress leader, referring to the RSS uniform of khaki shots which was replaced by brown trousers in 2016.
The screenshot of the order was also shared by BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya. The BJP leader welcomed the move and said: "The unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago, in 1966, imposing a ban on Govt employees taking part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been withdrawn by the Modi Govt."