New Delhi: Several civil services officers and the IPS Association Thursday joined the chorus of outrage on social media against Sudarshan News Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke, a day after he teased an alleged exposé of the “infiltration” of Muslims in the civil services, in what he termed as “bureaucracy Jihad”.
The officers demanded action against Chavhanke for the teaser of the report, which is scheduled to be aired Friday. The officer said it amounts to “hate speech” and questioning a constitutional body like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which selects the civil servants.
The IPS Association, which is the central body of the Indian Police Service officers, “condemned” the “communal and irresponsible piece of journalism” in a tweet.
A news story targeting candidates in civil services on the basis of religion is being promoted by Sudarshan TV.
We condemn the communal and irresponsible piece of journalism.
— IPS Association (@IPS_Association) August 27, 2020
The outrage came after Chavhanke tweeted a video Wednesday, in which he can be seen questioning the “infiltration” of Muslims in the civil services.
“How come suddenly the number of Muslims has increased in IAS and IPS? What is the secret of them getting the highest marks and ranks in one of the toughest exams?” he asks in the video.
“Imagine if the ‘jihadi of Jamia’ will be your district collectors and secretaries in ministries, what will happen then? Watch our biggest expose on ‘Naukarshahi jihad’ (bureaucracy jihad) this Friday,” he adds.
श्री @harnathsinghmp जी ने राज्यसभा में #UPSC_Jihad विरूद्ध नोटिस देने के लिए मेरे साथ अभी विस्तार से चर्चा की है। मैं उनका धन्यवाद करता हूँ और अन्य सांसदों से #नौकरशाही_जिहाद से देश को ग़ुलाम होने से बचाने के लिए संसद में आवाज़ उठाने के लिए अपील करता हूँ pic.twitter.com/B103VYjlmt
— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) August 26, 2020
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IAS, IPS officers condemn Chavhanke
After the video was shared widely, social media users protested against the video, calling for the suspension of Chavhanke’s Twitter account, by using the hashtag #SuspendSureshChavhanke.
A number of serving and retired civil service officers too joined in to condemn the video.
“By casting doubts on the integrity and impartiality of a constitutional body like the UPSC in the selection of officers for All-India Services, he is spreading disaffection for the constitutional scheme of governance,” said retired IPS officer N.C. Asthana.
It is an offence. By casting doubts on the integrity and impartiality of a constitutional body like the UPSC in the selection of officers for All-India Services, he is spreading disaffection for the constitutional scheme of governance. UPSC must respond and initiate legal action. https://t.co/UNK2MPrpOB
— Dr. N. C. Asthana, IPS (Retd) (1986-2019) (@NcAsthana) August 27, 2020
“A despicable attempt at hate mongering. To question the credentials of officers on the basis of religion is not only laughable, but should also be dealt with strictest legal provisions. We are all Indians first,” said IPS officer Niharika Bhatt.
A despicable attempt at hate mongering. To question the credentials of officers on the basis of religion is not only laughable, but should also be dealt with strictest legal provisions.
We are all Indians first ?? https://t.co/6NoDA1fiAU
— Niharika Bhatt (@niharika_bhatt) August 27, 2020
Several others also made similar remarks.
Disgusting. Condemnable. This must be stopped. https://t.co/ZFxbfNDgVZ
— RK Vij, IPS (@ipsvijrk) August 27, 2020
A new entry in the ‘मंडी’ of TRP. He should be asked about the source and reliability of this so called “पर्दाफ़ाश.” https://t.co/y0zh28Wz1j
— Awanish Sharan (@AwanishSharan) August 27, 2020
Why dont police arrest him and why SC or HCs or Minorities commission or UPSC dont take suo motto cognizance now? @TwitterIndia please take action and suspend this account. Its hate speech. https://t.co/A24LzH8Z3Y
— Prabhjot Singh IAS (@PrabhjotIAS) August 27, 2020
This is not free speech. This is sheer poison and against the fabric of our constitutional institutions. I request @TwitterIndia @TwitterSafety @Twitter to take action against this account. https://t.co/IBkP4EskD5
— Rahul Kumar (@rahulias6) August 27, 2020
The only identity that will forever matter and define us, the civil servants, is being Indian ??
Hate Speech Check @TwitterIndia https://t.co/m9Xnri4Ux4
— Rakesh Balwal (@ips_balwal) August 27, 2020
Najmul Hoda, an Inspector General in Chennai, told ThePrint that this should be referred to as “hate speech”. “Comments like these are an attempt to dehumanise an entire community,” he said.
The Indian Police Foundation, an independent think-tank on policing, condemned the video and said it won’t retweet it because it is “pure venom” and “dangerous bigotry”. It also urged the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), Uttar Pradesh Police and concerned government authorities to take strict action.
The hate story carried on a Noida TV channel against minority candidates joining IAS /IPS is dangerous bigotry. We refrain from retweeting it because it is pure venom. We hope #NewsBroadcastingStandardsAuthority, #UPPolice and concerned government authorities take strict action.
— Indian Police Foundation (@IPF_ORG) August 27, 2020
Meanwhile, RTI activist Saket Gokhale started a campaign urging people to register a police complaint against Chavhanke for the video.
Outrage is useless if we can't step out & follow up:
Here's what is needed from u ALL:
1. Print 2 copies of this complaint at https://t.co/VMONELYzLz
2. Sign it, submit at your local police station & take a "received" stamp on a copy
3. Confirm when done.
Counting on u all! https://t.co/9Zop9O8EQf
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) August 27, 2020
Political analyst Tahseen Poonawalla wrote to the president of the News Broadcasting Association to stop the telecast of the programme scheduled for Friday.
Dear @RajatSharmaLive ji
I have emailed & WhatsApped you regarding the show "Naukarshai mai Musalmano ki Ghuspate" to be telecasted on @SudarshanNewsTV .
The program is blatantly communal & will incite hatred & violence against our Muslim Fellow citizens.#SuspendSureshChavhanke pic.twitter.com/F5VyxYmmh9
— Tehseen Poonawalla Official (@tehseenp) August 27, 2020
In his defence, Chavhanke posted several tweets standing by his claims and adding that all queries will be answered when the exposé is aired.
Not only terror group, but the leader of all the terror groups #ZakirNaik is involved in this conspiracy. Watch #UPSC_Jihad 1st and then react #नौकरशाही_जिहाद from 28 Aug 8pm daily https://t.co/vsPSOh7NbM
— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) August 27, 2020
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