Dehradun (Uttarakhand) (India), September 6 (ANI): The Uttarakhand government has said that participation of state employees in morning and evening meetings and other cultural and social activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will not be considered as a violation of the Uttarakhand State Employees Conduct Rules-2002.

In this regard, Additional Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan has directed state employees to participate in RSS programmes provided such work does not come in the way of their official duties and responsibilities.

In a letter dated September 5, Additional Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan said, “After due deliberation by the government, it has been decided that participation of any government employee in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) branch (morning/evening meeting) and other cultural/social activities will not be considered as violation of the Uttarakhand State Employees Conduct Rules, 2002 (as amended from time to time).” The Additional Chief Secretary further said that such participation or contribution can be made only before and after government office hours.

“In this regard, I have received instructions that a government employee can participate or contribute to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) branch (morning/evening meeting) and other cultural/social activities only provided such work does not cause any hindrance in his official duties and responsibilities. Such participation or contribution can be made only before and after government office hours,” he added.

He further stated that in this regard, all government orders issued previously will be deemed to be superseded.

Earlier, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry allowing government officials to participate in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had led to a war of words between the opposition and the BJP.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Malviya said the “unconstitutional order” issued 58 years ago banning government employees from participating in RSS activities has been withdrawn by the central government.

“The unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago in 1966 banning government employees from participating in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been withdrawn by the Modi government. The original order should not have been passed in the first place,” Malviya said on X on Monday, citing the July 9 order.

“The ban was imposed because on November 7, 1966, there was a massive protest against cow slaughter in Parliament. The RSS-Jana Sangh mobilised hundreds of thousands of people. Many people died in police firing. On November 30, 1966, shaken by the influence of the RSS-Jana Sangh, Indira Gandhi banned government workers from joining the RSS,” he added. (ANI)