1981 ban on State govt employees joining RSS still in force in Raj

Jaipur: The Narendra Modi government at the Centre has taken a significant ideological step in its third term by permitting central employees to participate in activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Amidst tensions between the Sangh and BJP, this move is seen as a significant step towards coordination between the two. However, the ban on participating in RSS activities still applies to ten lakh employees of the Rajasthan government.

This ban was imposed in March 1981 during the tenure of Chief Minister Jagannath Pahadia.

The Personnel Department issued orders under the signature of the then Chief Secretary MMK Wali, categorising RSS alongside Jamaat-e-Islami and Anand Bazar organizations, thereby, prohibiting govt employees from participating in its activities. This order remains in effect today.

Despite BJP holding power in the state for 18 years since 1981, the Centre’s recent action has sparked expectations that the Rajasthan government under Bhajan Lal might lift this ban.