‘Officers Shouldn’t Make Remarks That May Cause Disharmony’: Show Cause Notice Against IAS Officer For Tablighi Tweet

The Karnataka government on Friday (1 May) issued a show cause notice to an IAS officer over his recent tweet in which he referred to Tablighis as “heroes” serving the country, and lashed out at their critics including those in the media, reports Hindustan Times.

The officer, Mohammad Mohsin, tweeted, "More than 300 Tablighi Heroes are donating their plasma to serve the country in New Delhi only. What about? #Godi Media? They will not show the works of humanity done by these heroes."

As per one senior official, the action against the officer showed that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is not willing to compromise on any remarks by officials that have communal overtones.

“At a time when the state government under Chief Minister Yediyurappa is leading a fight against Covid-19 by taking all sections along, it is better that officers not make remarks which are political in nature or can create disharmony,” another senior official was quoted as saying as per the report.

It is in this respect that the officer has been issued a show cause asking him to explain his comments on social media. The government has sought a written explanation from the officer within five days stating why his remarks should not be seen as violation of the All India Service (Conduct) rules, 1968.

The notice, accessed by PTI, read, "The adverse coverage this tweet has got in the media has been taken note of seriously by the government, given the serious nature of COVID-19 and the sensitivities involved."

Another senior state bureaucrat reportedly said, "The Karnataka government has made it clear that it would not hesitate to act even against powerful functionaries if their actions are damaging to the harmony in the state at a time when all are united in fighting COVID-19."

It should be noted that he is the same officer who was suspended by Election Commission last year for violation of Election protocol.

He tried to check the convoy of the Prime Minister after he landed to address a public meeting in Sambalpur. Instructions from the ECI panel recommend a strict protocol adherence before and while checking protectees under the protection of the Special Protection Group (SPG).