‘Politicizing Of Bureaucracy, Armed Forces’: Kharge Writes To PM Modi Over Use Of Officials As 'Pracharaks'

Mallikarjun Kharge raised questions about the Modi government's recent decision to use bureaucrats and military personnel in propagating government schemes launched in its tenure.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday wrote a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the alleged misuse of government machinery for political purposes. In the missive, Kharge raises questions about the government's recent decision to use senior bureaucrats and military personnel in propagating government schemes launched in its tenure, suggesting this compromises democratic norms.

Kharge's letter addresses two significant matters. Firstly, he points to a letter dated October 18, 2023, in which senior government officials, including those holding the ranks of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary, are designated as "Rath Prabharis." These officers are tasked with "showcasing achievements of the last 9 years of the Government of India," a period that corresponds with Prime Minister Modi's time in office. This directive, Kharge argues, violates the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules of 1964, which prohibit government servants from participating in political activities. By transforming civil servants into celebratory agents of the government, Kharge contends that the administration has "weaponized" these officials for political purposes, notably in the lead-up to the upcoming state elections and the general elections in 2024.

Kharge further warns of the potential disruption to governance when senior officers are diverted from their official duties to undertake political marketing activities. He expresses concerns about the "politicization" of the Armed Forces, referring to an order issued by the Ministry of Defence on October 9, 2023. This order instructs soldiers on annual leave to promote government schemes, designating them as "soldier-ambassadors." Kharge asserts that this move risks "politicizing" the Armed Forces, a development he deems dangerous to the country's democratic traditions.

In both cases, Kharge emphasises the need to keep government machinery separate from political agendas, especially during the months preceding elections. He underscores that government agencies and departments should not be utilised as "political agents" and urged the Prime Minister to withdraw the aforementioned orders.

Elabourating these allegations, Kharge conveyed to news agency ANI that the government's approach appears to be an attempt to weaken democracy. He criticized the use of government officers, defence personnel, and IAS and IPS officers for political campaigns, saying, "Government officers, defence personnel being deployed for campaigning or calling them by a particular name is not right...Nothing like this happens...For the first time, I am seeing officers being used for the further publicity of a program. They didn't leave IT, Army men, IAS, and IPS officers - they have told all of them to take out a 'rath yatra' and tell people about the works of the Government...This tactic to weaken democracy is not right. We condemn this. So I wrote to him..."

On Saturday, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said on X, "How can civil servants be ordered to do political propaganda for a government going into elections? IAS officers will be 'Rath Prabharis'".

He shared the order dated October 18 of the Department of Revenue in the finance ministry pertaining to officers of various services to be deployed as "rath prabhari" (special officers) in each of the 765 districts in the country, covering 2.69 lakh gram panchayats.

"This is Narendra's Another Megalomaniac Order," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted.

About Modi Govt's 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra'

As per the order, the government is reportedly planning a nationwide campaign, the "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra," aimed at saturating the country's 2.7 lakh panchayats with information about government welfare schemes. The initiative is expected to begin after Diwali and continue for several weeks, news agency PTI reported citing sources. Specially-fitted chariots, or "raths," will carry government representatives to reach beneficiaries and ensure that they receive the benefits of these schemes, in line with Prime Minister Modi's objective to accelerate welfare scheme saturation.

Modi has set a target of six months to ensure the full saturation of his government's welfare schemes, official sources told PTI on Saturday.

At a recent cabinet meeting, PM Modi exhorted his ministers to work harder and ensure that the deserving beneficiaries who are yet to receive the benefits of welfare schemes are reached out to faster, PTI sources said. During a meeting with top officials, Modi stressed the need to expedite the saturation of welfare schemes.