New Delhi (20 August, 2024): In a significant political move, the Union Government of India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive, has withdrawn its recent advertisement inviting lateral entry into the civil services. This move, announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, comes in response to growing controversy and concerns raised by both political allies and opposition parties regarding the absence of reservation provisions in the recruitment process.
Background on Lateral Entry
Lateral entry into bureaucracy allows for the recruitment of individuals from outside the traditional civil services cadre to fill mid and senior-level positions in government departments. This process was formally introduced in 2018 under the Modi government, aimed at bringing in expertise from diverse fields to enhance governance. However, the recent call for applications, which sought to fill 45 senior positions including those of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary, has sparked controversy due to the lack of reservation for marginalized communities.
Opposition and Allies Raise Concerns
The lateral entry scheme has faced criticism from several quarters, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) own allies. Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and a key ally of the BJP, voiced strong objections to the recruitment process, highlighting that it bypassed the reservation system crucial for ensuring social justice for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Paswan emphasized that any government appointment must adhere to the principles of reservation, which is a cornerstone of India's social justice framework.
The Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], another NDA ally led by Nitish Kumar, also expressed serious concerns over the move. The party, known for its advocacy of social justice and reservation, viewed the lateral entry process as undermining the rights of marginalized communities. JD(U) leaders underscored the historical importance of reservation in addressing centuries of social disadvantage and called for the recruitment process to be aligned with constitutional mandates.
The Government's Response
In light of these concerns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to review and ultimately withdraw the advertisement. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, in his letter to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), emphasized that the lateral entry process must be reformed to ensure alignment with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in the Constitution. He expressed that reservation in public employment is essential for addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity in government services.
The government’s decision to retract the lateral entry advertisement has been seen as a strategic move to address the backlash and prevent further erosion of support from marginalized communities, particularly in the wake of the Opposition's strong campaign on social justice issues.
Political Reactions
The Opposition, led by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, had been vocal in their criticism of the lateral entry scheme, accusing the BJP of using it as a backdoor to bypass the reservation system and favor candidates aligned with the party's ideology. Rahul Gandhi, in particular, had framed the issue as an "attack on Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis", further intensifying the political debate.
In contrast, BJP allies like Chirag Paswan welcomed the government's decision to cancel the lateral entry process, viewing it as a reaffirmation of the government's commitment to social justice. Paswan praised Prime Minister Modi for understanding and addressing the concerns of SC/ST and OBC communities.
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The cancellation of the lateral entry recruitment advertisement marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over reservation and social justice in India. While the lateral entry initiative was initially seen as a way to bring fresh talent into the government, the controversy surrounding the lack of reservation has highlighted the importance of ensuring that such processes are inclusive and equitable.
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