Why in the news?

The government’s recent decision to lift the ban on government employees participating in RSS activities threatens to undermine the remnants of a free and fair bureaucracy.

Whether or not civil servants are banned from joining RSS 

• Lifting the Ban: The Central government has lifted a 58-year ban on government servants joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This ban was originally imposed in 1966 due to concerns about the organization’s political activities.
• Government Justification: The government stated that the activities of the RSS are no longer deemed incompatible with civil service conduct rules, suggesting that the organization has been wrongly categorized as a banned entity.
• Judicial Commentary: The Madhya Pradesh High Court remarked that it took nearly five decades for the government to recognize its mistake in banning civil servants from joining the RSS, indicating a shift in perception regarding the organization.
• Political Reactions: The decision has sparked controversy, with opposition parties criticizing it as a threat to India’s secular fabric and accusing the government of politicizing the civil service. Critics argue that the RSS’s ideology conflicts with the principles of a secular state.
• Support from RSS: The RSS welcomed the decision, asserting that it strengthens India’s democratic system and has historically contributed to national unity and social service.

The idea of Constitutional Democracy

• Constitutional democracy is a system of government that combines the principles of democracy with a constitution that limits the powers of the state and protects the rights of citizens.
• The people are the ultimate source of power, and the government derives its authority from their consent. The constitution places restrictions on the government’s actions and establishes the structure of the government.
• There is a separation of powers between the legislature, executive, and judiciary, with each acting as a check on the others. The rule of law applies equally to all citizens and the government itself.
• Minority rights are protected, and the will of the majority is balanced against the rights of individuals and minority groups. Constitutional democracy guarantees some rights to everyone, irrespective of their status as a minority or majority.
• The origins of constitutional democracy can be traced back to Enlightenment ideas of natural rights, social contract theory, and the separation of powers. The United States Constitution, adopted in 1787, was a pioneering example of a written constitution establishing a federal system of government with a separation of powers

RSS Ideology vs Constitutional Democracy

• Conflict of Ideologies: The lifting of the ban raises questions about the relationship between the RSS’s ideology and the constitutional framework of India. The RSS promotes a vision of a Hindu nation, which may conflict with the secular and pluralistic ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
• Constitutional Morality: The Constitution aims to create a society that respects diverse religions and cultures, contrasting with the RSS’s focus on a singular religious identity. This juxtaposition presents challenges to the commitment of civil servants to uphold constitutional values.
• Historical background of the Constitution: The Constitution was designed to restructure Indian society post-independence, ensuring inclusivity and rejecting the idea of a state aligned with a single religious community. The RSS’s ideology, which criticizes the post-1947 restructuring, poses a fundamental challenge to this vision.
• Democratic Challenges: The existence of non-democratic and exclusionary ideas within a democratic framework complicates governance. The rise of Hindutva politics, which emphasizes majoritarianism and exclusion, threatens the principles of constitutional democracy.
• Need for Reinforcement: To counter the influence of ideologies that contradict constitutional morality, there is a pressing need to reinvigorate the commitment to constitutional democracy among civil servants and the broader public.

Conclusion: To uphold constitutional democracy, it is crucial to reinforce the commitment to secularism, inclusivity, and the rule of law among civil servants and the broader public amidst ideological challenges.

Mains PYQ: 

Q To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (2017)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now