As the nation grapples with the horror of a junior doctor’s alleged rape and murder at RR Kar Medical College in Kolkata, the Congress and Opposition parties have shifted the focus to a different controversy. Instead of rallying around the tragedy, they’ve stirred up a debate over a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) advertisement that called for the recruitment of talented and motivated individuals for senior bureaucratic positions. This advertisement, which was eventually withdrawn at the direct intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Opposition seems determined to bring in onto the centre stage of political wrangling. While the Prime Minister claims to be committed to social justice, the Congress and other opposition parties argue that this move undermines reservation policies, particularly for the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). However, the facts tell a different story. The UPSC advertisement was not a sudden decision but was based on a policy implemented by the NDA government in 2018, following recommendations from the Niti Aayog. Interestingly, this policy of lateral entry into the bureaucracy—a practice that allows individuals from outside traditional government service cadres to fill mid and senior-level positions—was initially recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) in 2005. The ARC, chaired by Congress leader Veerappa Moily, openly advocated for lateral entry as a means to infuse fresh expertise into the system. Yet, neither the Congress nor the Opposition raised any objections to this practice when it was introduced. Despite the historical support for lateral entry, the Modi government, recognizing the growing controversy, asked the UPSC to cancel its recent advertisement for recruiting 45 secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries across 24 central ministries. The advertisement, which included provisions for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), faced criticism from opposition leaders who accused the government of “snatching reservations” from SC, ST, and OBC candidates. This accusation, however, overlooks the fact that lateral entry positions are aimed at bringing in domain experts with specific skill sets that career bureaucrats may lack. Since its inception in 2018, 63 individuals have been recruited through lateral entry, with 35 coming from the private sector, and these experts have been crucial in enhancing the efficiency of various ministries and departments. The Congress and its allies’ decision to politicize this issue raises questions about their true intentions, especially in the context of the heinous crime in Kolkata. While the nation is still reeling from the shock of the alleged rape and murder, the opposition’s focus on lateral entry seems like an attempt to distract from the core issue. The Supreme Court has already taken suo moto cognizance of the crime, recognizing the public’s outrage, and has begun hearings. On the very first day, the apex court pulled up the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for its failure to maintain law and order and hinted at the possibility of serious repercussions if justice is not served. The Modi government, meanwhile, is exploring the option of invoking Article 356 to impose President’s rule in West Bengal, given the deteriorating law and order situation under the TMC rule. In this context, the question arises: who is really detracting the nation from the issues that matter? Is it the ruling party, which is attempting to address the growing lawlessness in West Bengal, or the Opposition, which seems more interested in creating a political storm over an administrative policy rather than focusing on the tragedy that has shaken the nation to its core? The answer seems clear—the real distraction is coming from those who seek to politicize administrative decisions while ignoring the pressing issues of justice and public safety.
Who’s really distracting the nation?
