‘Deeply disturbed’: Over 80 former bureaucrats allege BJP govt changing character of service

They have expressed 'fear' that the BJP was attempting to distort the historical understanding that services follow a non-adherence to any political ideology when on duty.

PM Narendra Modi interacting with the Secretaries to the Government of India, at Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi | Representational image | PIB file photo

New Delhi: A group of 82 former civil servants have written an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, alleging the BJP government was making a “systematic attempt” to change the character of the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS).

Calling themselves the Constitutional Conduct Group, these former bureaucrats have expressed “fear” that the central government was attempting to distort the historical understanding that the civil services were meant to be independent, neutral and would not follow any political ideology in their discharge of official duties.

They said these changes have foundationally altered the principles envisioned by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — also known as the “Patron Saint of IAS”. They fear servicemen would be replaced with “apparatchiks and foot soldiers whose loyalty shall be to the ruling party and not to the Constitution of India”.

The group cited multiple instances where measures have been taken to threaten the “unique federal design” of the IAS and the IPS. They allege there have been “noticeable attempts” to pressure officers to show exclusive loyalty to the Union rather than to the “parent” state cadre to which they were allotted. They have further noticed “opacity in the recruitment process” at mid-levels and were concerned candidates were being chosen based on ideological predilections.

Additionally, the group said actions and words of some “very senior functionaries” of the central government heightened their concern for the future of the civil services.

They cited the National Security Advisor’s speech at the passing out function of IPS officers in 2021. The Group alleged the NSA urged civil servants to treat civil society as the “fourth generation of warfare, that can be subverted, suborned, divided and manipulated to hurt the interests of the nation”. The Group contended that the above mentioned sentiments were “antithetical to any democratic dispensation” and only aimed at placing civil society in a position of conflict with the state.

Another example cited in the letter was a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month on Civil Services Day. They said Modi’s exhortation to officers to be firm with malfeasance of political parties was “couched neutrally” but “the intent and objective were unmistakable”.