The Congress government in Karnataka is going all out over its crackdown on officials participating or associating with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The state government has relieved an assistant cook employed at a hostel run by the Backward Classes Welfare Department in Basavakalyana after he allegedly participated in a route march organised by the RSS.

The action followed a complaint received on October 20 by the District Backward Classes Welfare Officer, alleging that Pramod Kumar, an assistant cook at the Pre-Matric Boys Hostel, had taken part in the RSS event.

In response, the Basavakalyana Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer issued a letter to the office of the Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer of the Bidar District Labour Services Multipurpose Cooperative Society, instructing that Kumar be relieved from duty.

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“Pramod Kumar is working as an assistant cook at the Pre-Matric Boys Hostel, Basavakalyana, through external resources. Permanent or external staff drawing a government salary are prohibited from participating in any organisation as per the law,” the official communication stated. It added that Kumar was released from duty on October 21 morning.

Panchayat Development Officer sacked

This move comes shortly after the government suspended Panchayat Development Officer Praveen Kumar KP for attending an RSS centenary event in Raichur’s Lingsugur. Photographs showing Praveen Kumar dressed in the traditional RSS uniform and carrying a lathi have widely circulated on social media.

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Earlier, on October 16, the Karnataka Cabinet decided to frame new rules aimed at restricting activities of private organisations, including the RSS, in public spaces. The move followed a series of events and route marches held across the state on October 12 to mark the RSS’s centenary celebrations.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge had earlier urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to act against government employees linked to the RSS, citing the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, which bar state employees from associating with politically affiliated organisations.