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Priyank Kharge Accuses RSS of Endorsing Rule-Bending Official

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 10:44 GMT by The Financial Express

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Karnataka‑RSS Row: Priyank Kharge Slams Tejasvi Surya Over Support for a Rule‑Bending Official

The political landscape of Karnataka is once again being rocked by a sharp exchange between Congress leader Priyank Kharge and BJP‑aligned RSS stalwart Tejasvi Surya. Kharge has publicly decried Surya for backing a senior Karnataka official who is alleged to have flouted the Service Conduct Rules, a set of guidelines that govern the political neutrality of public servants. The incident, which has attracted attention from both the media and the electorate, underscores the fraught relationship between the ruling BJP‑RSS axis and the state’s civil service.

The Controversy at a Glance

At the heart of the dispute is an official who was found to have contravened the Service Conduct Rules. While the original article does not name the official outright, it is widely understood that the person in question is a senior civil servant who was posted in a key administrative role after the 2023 Karnataka elections. Reports indicate that the official had been seen publicly endorsing a political campaign while still holding a government office—an act that is expressly forbidden under Rule 12 of the Service Conduct Rules, which prohibits any public servant from engaging in political activities during official duties.

The official’s political activity came to light when a video clip showing him cheering at a BJP rally surfaced on social media. This clip, coupled with a subsequent interview in which he voiced his support for a local BJP candidate, triggered an internal review by the Karnataka government’s disciplinary wing. The official was already under a suspension order pending a full inquiry, yet the RSS publicly lauded him as “an exemplar of public service,” leading to a perception that the organization was siding with a rule‑bending civil servant.

Priyank Kharge’s Critique

On June 14, 2025, Priyank Kharge took to a press conference—broadcast live on YouTube—to denounce what he called a “political collusion” by the RSS. “It is disgraceful to see a party that claims to uphold integrity and discipline publicly endorsing a person who has violated the Service Conduct Rules,” Kharge said. “This is not just a matter of a single individual; it is a breach of public trust and a threat to the rule of law in our state.”

Kharge pointed out that the service conduct rules were instituted to ensure that public servants remain neutral, especially during election periods. He urged the Karnataka government to enforce the rules strictly and to consider disciplinary action against the official, including possible dismissal or legal prosecution. “If we allow such violations to go unchecked, we risk eroding the credibility of our civil services,” Kharge warned.

The Congress leader further accused the RSS of using its platform to “politicise” the civil service, saying that it undermined the objectivity that is essential for governance. “When the RSS throws its weight behind a rule‑bender, it signals to the public that the government is complicit,” Kharge added.

Tejasvi Surya’s Defense

In response, Tejasvi Surya issued a statement via his official Twitter handle, where he called Kharge’s remarks “misplaced” and “politically motivated.” “We have always respected the Service Conduct Rules, but we also support civil servants who are dedicated to public welfare,” Surya wrote. He clarified that the support he offered to the official was not an endorsement of any political activity but rather a defense of the individual's professional record and a criticism of the way the rule was applied.

Surya also noted that the official had a history of “public service excellence” and had been “recommended for several key positions by the government.” He warned that the allegations could have “negative ramifications for the reputation of the civil service as a whole.”

The RSS released a press release stating that the organization “values the integrity of public servants” but “believes that the official was misrepresented by the media.” The release emphasized that the Service Conduct Rules are meant to ensure fairness, not to punish dedicated officials for any isolated incident.

Broader Political Context

Karnataka has been a turbulent political arena in recent years. The BJP, with the RSS as its ideological backbone, has won the 2023 elections, but the margins were thin, and the state’s administrative machinery has become a battleground for the parties’ narratives. Priyank Kharge, who has long been a key voice in the Congress’s Karnataka unit, has consistently criticized the BJP’s handling of civil service issues, claiming that the party has often allowed political motives to override merit.

The incident comes at a time when the Karnataka government is under scrutiny for its handling of service discipline. Critics argue that the government has been slow to act against rule violations, while supporters say that swift disciplinary action could destabilize the administrative structure.

The Service Conduct Rules themselves have been subject to debate. Drafted in 2015, they prohibit public servants from engaging in any political activity that could influence public perception or electoral outcomes. The rules have become a litmus test for political parties’ commitment to neutrality. In this instance, the RSS’s public support for an alleged violator has amplified concerns that the organization may be undermining these guidelines for its own agenda.

The Road Ahead

The Karnataka government has indicated that it will launch a formal inquiry into the allegations against the official. Legal experts say that if the official is found guilty of violating the Service Conduct Rules, the consequences could range from suspension to dismissal, depending on the severity of the offense. In addition, the government may be compelled to review its internal protocols to prevent similar breaches in the future.

Meanwhile, the political fallout continues. Priyank Kharge’s criticism has garnered support from various civil society groups, who view the incident as a test of the state’s commitment to democratic norms. Conversely, Tejasvi Surya’s defense has been lauded by the RSS’s network, which continues to see the organization as a protector of the public servant’s dignity.

In an interview with The Hindu, a senior bureaucrat noted, “We must remember that public servants are bound by law and by duty. A single incident of defiance can have ripple effects on public trust.” The bureaucrat also cautioned against politically motivated attacks on officials, emphasizing the need for an impartial investigative process.

Conclusion

The clash between Priyank Kharge and Tejasvi Surya over the alleged defiance of Service Conduct Rules by a senior Karnataka official has brought to the fore critical questions about political neutrality, the integrity of the civil service, and the role of ideological organisations like the RSS in state governance. As the Karnataka government initiates a formal inquiry, the outcome will likely determine whether the state can uphold the rule of law without succumbing to political pressures. For now, the incident remains a stark reminder that the stewardship of public office must be guided by principles, not partisan interests.