Union Minister Jitendra Singh recently addressed a letter to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), calling for the cancellation of an advertisement for lateral entry into top positions within central ministries. This move comes amid significant backlash from opposition parties and even some National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies. In his letter to UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan, Singh cited directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the need for lateral entry to align with the principles of equity and social justice, particularly with respect to the constitutional provision of reservations.
Singh highlighted that for PM Modi, reservations in public employment are fundamental to India's social justice framework, aimed at addressing historical injustices and promoting inclusivity. The letter pointed out that the advertised positions were considered specialized and designated as single-cadre posts, which traditionally have not included provisions for reservations.
The opposition was quick to respond to the government's lateral entry policy. The Congress, which has been vocally critical of the advertisement, described it as an "attack on Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis." Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media to express his disapproval, questioning the governance of the BJP and calling out the letter as a sign of mismanagement.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the lateral entry process, calling it a conspiracy to bypass the reservation system through the "backdoor." Yadav referred to the opposition's unified stance against the policy as a victory for the PDA—an acronym representing backward classes (OBCs), Dalits, and minorities. In response to the government's decision to reconsider the policy, Yadav postponed a planned agitation that was scheduled to begin on October 2.
The controversy began when the UPSC announced the recruitment of 45 joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries in what was described as the largest tranche of lateral entries into the bureaucracy. The move was intended to bring specialists, including those from the private sector, into central government departments. However, the announcement quickly became a political flashpoint, drawing criticism not only from opposition parties but also from NDA partners such as Janata Dal (United) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, was among the first to criticize the government, arguing that lateral entry without reservations attacked marginalized communities' rights. He accused the BJP of trying to dismantle the Constitution and undermine the reservation system.
BJP ally Chirag Paswan also expressed concerns, insisting that reservation provisions should be mandatory in any government appointment, with no exceptions. Paswan's stance reflects broader concerns within the NDA about maintaining the integrity of the reservation system in government recruitment.
In response to the criticism, the central government defended its lateral entry policy, noting that such practices have been in place since the 1970s under Congress-led governments. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw argued that the current policy would not negatively impact the recruitment of SC/ST candidates in government services. Additionally, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal pointed out that the Congress itself had used lateral entry in the past, citing the example of Manmohan Singh, who was appointed as finance secretary through lateral entry in 1976. Meghwal emphasized that while the Congress initiated lateral entry, PM Modi has made it a more systematic process.
This ongoing debate highlights the complex intersection of meritocracy, specialization, and social justice within India's public service recruitment policies, with both sides invoking the need to protect the rights and opportunities of marginalized communities while ensuring effective governance.
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