Karnataka Officer Suspended for Attending RSS March: Legal, Constitutional, and Political Dimensions
The suspension of a government officer in Karnataka for participating in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) march has sparked a statewide controversy that intertwines constitutional rights , civil service conduct norms , and political sensitivities . The issue has also reignited debate over the limits of state authority versus the fundamental rights of citizens and the neutrality expected of public servants. Background of the Case The controversy began when Praveen Kumar K.P. , a Panchayat Development Officer from Sirwar taluk in Raichur district , was suspended after being seen in RSS uniform during a route march at Lingsugur on October 12 , part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations . The suspension order, issued by IAS officer Arundhati Chandrashekar , cited violation of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021 , which mandate political neutrality among public officials. The officer is to remain under suspension with a subsistence allowance pending a departmen...