Rahul Gandhi: The Central Government decision to appoint 45 lateral entry experts to key Joint Secretary, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries came under a storm of criticism from top opposition leaders. Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Mayawati joined against the move, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of compromising constitutional principles and social justice.
Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Decision as Unconstitutional
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has strongly opposed these lateral entry appointments, calling them a ‘conspiracy’ and a ‘violation of the Constitution.’ In an elaborate post on X, Gandhi alleged that PM Narendra Modi is undermining the UPSC by allowing the RSS to influence the recruitment process. He said that this move would wash out SC, ST, and OBC reservations, which are important to have representations from underprivileged groups at the top administrative positions.
He pointed out that the move might further marginalize bright candidates of the UPSC when bright young persons from other services and the private sector were being brought in. Recent recruitment of a person from the private sector as SEBI chairman proved, he said, that such decisions end up helping the corporate world rather than the cause of public service.
Akhilesh Yadav Warns of Nationwide Protests
SP president Akhilesh Yadav also attacked the decision, threatening a countrywide agitation against what he called the BJP’s “design to circumvent” established modes of recruitment. Contending that lateral entry would block promotional avenues of serving officers and future candidates who seek entry into services from backward classes, Dalits, and minorities, Yadav charged that the BJP was seeking to demolish the reservation system in the name of administrative reform.
Yadav has now called for a single intensified response from officers and the youth from every nook and corner of the country to join protests if the BJP does not take back the decision. According to him, there could be biased and corrupt practices if people ideologically close to the ruling party are recruited.
Government’s Plan for Lateral Entry
The BJP government has announced 45 posts, out of which 10 are for the Joint Secretary and 35 Director/Deputy Secretary, which are to be recruited through lateral entry. The aim is to attract professionals outside the normal civil service ambit for a limited period on a contractual basis. Advertisements invite applications from “talented Indian citizens” who have that flair for contributing toward nation-building initiatives.
Impact and Prospects in the Future
It is a part of a much larger argument located within the debate between merit and reservation for recruitment policies, which appears to be reflected in the controversy over the lateral entry appointments. While the government claims to bring in some ‘fresh blood’ into the bureaucracy, its critics charge that this can be at the cost of principles of equality and representation intrinsic in the UPSC recruitment process.
As the debate unfolds, central issues pertaining to constitutional integrity, social justice, and reservations in public service will most likely become the evolving strands at the centre of political discourse.
