UPSC Lateral Entry / Through lateral entry, the government is attacking the rights of Dalits and tribals- Rahul

Government sources have given clarification on the lateral entry controversy, but Rahul Gandhi has again attacked it. He alleges that through this decision the government is trying to snatch reservation from the Bahujans, which will hit the rights of Dalits-OBCs and tribals.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Aug 19, 2024, 01:15 PM

UPSC Lateral Entry: The political atmosphere in the country is heated regarding lateral entry. Congress and other opposition parties are constantly attacking the central government on this issue. On Monday, once again former Congress President Rahul Gandhi targeted the government and alleged that the rights of Dalits, OBCs, and tribals are being attacked through lateral entry. He called it a conspiracy to snatch reservation from the Bahujans.

The Congress shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) saying, "Lateral entry is an attack on Dalits, OBCs, and tribals. BJP's distorted Ramrajya is trying to destroy the Constitution and snatch reservation from the Bahujans."

Rahul Gandhi also made these allegations

Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is recruiting public servants through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) bypassing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), thereby attacking the Constitution. He said that the central government is snatching the reservation of SC, ST, and OBC class by recruiting through lateral entry on important posts. Rahul Gandhi termed it an attack on social justice and the rights of the deprived and said that this is also weakening the administrative structure.

Lateral entry is an attack on Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis.

BJP’s distorted version of Ram Rajya seeks to destroy the Constitution and snatch reservations from Bahujans.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 19, 2024

What was the government's response?

Reacting to these allegations, the government clarified that the concept of lateral entry first came up during the UPA government. Government sources said that the idea was introduced in 2005 during the UPA government under the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), which was headed by Veerappa Moily. At that time, recruitment of experts was recommended, which is now being implemented by the NDA government in a transparent manner. The government also said that fair and transparent recruitments will be made through UPSC, which will lead to administrative reforms.

This entire matter has further intensified the political debate in the country, where both sides are adamant on their respective positions.