The suspension order said that Praveen Kumar had violated the Karnataka Civil Services Rules and acted in a manner unbecoming of a government servant.
Published Oct 18, 2025 | 5:24 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2025 | 5:24 PM
Praveen Kumar (circled) was suspended on Friday, 17 October, after a picture showed the official in an RSS uniform, and holding a stick alongside RSS cadre.
Synopsis: The official violated service rules by participating in an RSS rally on 12 October. After his suspension, pending inquiry, the BJP demanded the revocation of the order and an apology, saying the government’s move was ‘anti-Hindu’.
The suspension of a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) for participating in an RSS rally has gained a communal hue in Karnataka, with the BJP calling the government’s move against the official “anti-Hindu”.
Commissioner of the Panchayat Raj Department Arundhati Chandrashekar suspended PDO Praveen Kumar on Friday, 17 October, after a picture surfaced, showing the official in an RSS uniform, and holding a danda (stick) alongside RSS cadre.
The RSS event was part of the organisation’s centenary celebration held at Lingasaguru town in the Raichur district on 12 October. Kumar was the PDO of Sirwar taluk in Raichur.
The suspension order said that he had violated the Karnataka Civil Services Rules and acted in a manner unbecoming of a government servant. A departmental inquiry has been initiated.
The officer violated Rule 3 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, which mandates government employees to maintain political neutrality, integrity, and conduct befitting their office, the order said. It added that his actions were also inconsistent with the standards expected from a public servant.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra hit out at this order. “This is nothing but a perverse and anti-Hindu mindset of the @INCKarnataka party, driven by malice,” he said on X.
He demanded the immediate revocation of the suspension and an apology. “…or else an appropriate response will be given through constitutional means within the democratic system to counter this divisive politics,” he said.
“The Congress, infamous for imposing an Emergency on the nation and strangulating the democratic system in the past, is now proceeding on the same path in Karnataka. History bears witness that if divisive politics and authoritarian tendencies are flaunted, the people of this country will reduce them to nothing, as evidenced by the pages of history,” the BJP leader added.
ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಸಚಿವ @PriyankKharge ಅವರ ಬೆದರಿಕೆಗೆ ಹೆದರಿ ದ್ವೇಷದ ರಾಜಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಗಲು ಕೊಡಲು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದರ ಆರಂಭವೆಂಬಂತೆ ರಾಯಚೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಪಂಚಾಯತ್ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಶಾಸಕರಾದ ಮಾನಪ್ಪ ಡಿ ವಜ್ಜಲ್ ಅವರ ಆಪ್ತ ಸಹಾಯಕ ಪ್ರವೀಣ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ ಕೆ.ಪಿ ಅವರನ್ನು @RSSorg ಶತಮಾನೋತ್ಸವ ಪಥಸಂಚನದಲ್ಲಿ… pic.twitter.com/4y6Jx7s2iw
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) October 17, 2025
Senior leader Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) also took to X against the government. “Priyank Kharge and the Karnataka Congress government are suspending officers and government employees for participating in RSS shakhas and events. I extend complete legal support to all those being targeted by this government simply for being active members of the RSS.”
Priyanka Kharge and the Karnataka Congress government are suspending officers and government employees for participating in RSS shakhas and events. I extend complete legal support to all those being targeted by this government simply for being active members of the RSS.…
— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (@BasanagoudaBJP) October 18, 2025
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
