Asserting that “the last decade has witnessed a systemic pattern of attacking, destroying and undermining our institutions of autonomy by the ruling party”, Kharge called on the bureaucracy “to abide by the Constitution, perform its duties, and serve the nation, without fear, favor. and anger towards anyone” .
“Do not fear anyone. Do not bow down in any unconstitutional way. Do not fear anyone and do your duty, based on merit, on this day of reckoning. “The eternal Constitution, as written by the makers of modern India,” he said.
The full text of the letter
Appeal to all Civil Servants and Officials
Dear members of the bureaucracy, civil servants and officials whom I respect,
I am writing to you in the capacity of Leader of the Opposition (Rajya Sabha) and as President Indian National Congress. The elections for the 18th Lok Sabha are over and the counting of votes will take place tomorrow, June 4, 2024.
I must congratulate the Election Commission of India, Central Armed Forces, Police in various states, Civil Servants, District Collectors, Volunteers and everyone involved in this great and historic task.
Our inspiration and India’s First Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel famously called civil servants the “Steel Frame of India.” The people of India know very well that it was the Indian National Congress that created many institutions, laid a strong foundation, and devised mechanisms for independence, based on the Constitution of India.
The independence of the institution is the most important, because every civil servant swears in the Constitution that “will faithfully and conscientiously perform their duties and will exercise the rights of all kinds of people according to the Constitution and the law, without fear or favor, affection. or compassion”. With this spirit, we expect every bureaucrat and official – from the top to the bottom of the hierarchy, to perform their duties in the spirit of the Constitution, without coercion, threat, pressure or intimidation from the ruling party / coalition or from the opposition party. / coalition.
It is important to underline the fact that the Congress party, through the Constitution prepared by our inspirational founding members such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr BR Ambedkar, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu and others, has not only created a strong governance framework, but also ensure affirmative action through the representation of the marginalized in the bureaucracy and civil society, in our autonomous institutions.
The last decade has witnessed a systemic pattern of attacking, undermining and diminishing our institutions of autonomy by the ruling party. India’s Democratic ethos is getting corrupted. There is a widespread tendency to turn India into a regimental dictatorship. We increasingly see some institutions abandon their independence and brazenly follow the diktats of the ruling party. Some are done with their communication style, the way they work, and in some cases even their political rhetoric. It wasn’t his fault. With brute force, threats, coercive mechanisms and abuse of agency, the tendency to bow to power has become a way of short-term survival. Though, in this denigration, Indian Constitution and Democracy have become victims.
The ‘Will of the People’ is supreme, and people want the Indian bureaucracy, to return to Sardar Patel’s same ‘Steel frame of India’ – which has been Teflon-coated with strong, time-tested Constitutional principles. time.
The Indian National Congress now urges all bureaucrats, to abide by the Constitution, do their duty, and serve the nation, without fear, like or dislike of anyone. Don’t be afraid of anyone. Do not bow in any unconstitutional manner. Do not fear anyone and do your duty, based on merit, on this day of reckoning. We owe it to future generations, a vibrant Democracy and an enduring Constitution, as written by the makers of modern India.
In the hope that India remains truly Democratic, I extend my best wishes to each of you, and hope that the eternal ideals of our Constitution will never be lost.
