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Puja Khedkar row: Former NITI Aayog chairperson Amitabh’s ‘insensitive’ remark on reservation sparks outrage

While a few IAS officials supported his opinion, others took exception and said how reservation isn't about quota but about social justice.

South First Desk

Published Jul 21, 2024 | 7:35 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 21, 2024 | 7:35 PM

IAS trainee Puja Khedkar row: Former NITI Aayog chairperson in trouble

Amitabh Kant (Wikimedia Commons)

Amitabh Kant, former chairman of NITI Aayog has drawn criticism for his ‘insensitive’ remarks about reservation amid the row over Puja Khedkar, who is alleged to have forged her identity to be selected into the civil services.

An IAS trainee from Maharashtra, Puja is alleged to have submitted fake disability and caste certificates to get selected into the UPSC. After a complaint lodged by the UPSC, an investigation is underway into the discrepancies in her medical certificates.

Taking to the social media platform X to share his view, Amitabh wrote that since several cases of fraud involving UPSC entry have surfaced, the selection of officials based on competence and integrity shouldn’t be compromised.

“Several cases of fraud through UPSC for entry to top Civil Services are being alleged. All such cases must be fully investigated and the sternest action taken. Selection on the basis of competence and integrity should never get compromised. I am in favour of SC/ST or OBC reservation. These reservations should continue, with the Creamy layer regulations being enforced,” he wrote in X.

However, he drew people’s anger for further stating that “reservations for the physically & mentally handicapped and the proposed 1% reservation for the third gender for the top Civil Services need to be reviewed. They are being misused.”

Related: UPSC disability certificate row: Telangana cadre IAS officer Praful Desai faces social media backlash

People express mixed opinion

While a few IAS officials supported his opinion, others took exception and said how reservation isn’t about quota but about social justice. For instance, Smita Sabharwal supported his opinion and questioned the need for quota in UPSC services in the first place.

“With all due respect to the Differently Abled. Does an Airline hire a pilot with disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability. The nature of the #AIS ( IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field-work, long taxing hours, listening first hand to people’s grievances-which requires physical fitness,” she wrote in X.

Meanwhile criticising her comment and Amitabh’s opinion, several people including senior advocate at the Supreme Court, Karuna Nandy explained how insensitive it is to make such remarks.

Saying that she was amazed at how an IAS officer can be ignorant aboout disabilities, she wrote in X, “Amazed that an IAS officer would be so fundamentally ignorant about disability. Most disabilities have no impact on stamina. Or intelligence. But this tweet shows enlightenment and diversity are badly needed.”

Writing along similar lines, Vinay Kumar GB, founder of ‘Insights IAS’ academy said that labelling the UPSC services as premier services is elitism and that it is not fair to bar people with physical and mental challenges from getting their reservation. Taking to X, he wrote,

“Firstly labelling All India Services as ‘Premier Services’ is elitism. These services are roles with higher responsibilities where one should practice empathy, highest levels of integrity, quick and fair decision making – whether you are in field or off the field. And we all know thanks to innumerable meetings and protocols these ‘premier’ services are no more field jobs. AIS officers rarely get time to visit villages or to do any field jobs.”

While expressing the need for stringent scrutiny and punishment for those misusing quota, several others insisted on providing reservation for physically challenged as they deserve it.

(Edited by Neena)

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