The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in India’s Uttar Pradesh has issued an order stating that people involved in violent activities aimed at changing the existing social system may be deemed ineligible for state government jobs, Scroll reported.
The order sets out guidelines for verifying candidates selected for direct recruitment to posts in state government departments, corporations, councils and local bodies.
According to The Times of India, the order states that individuals belonging to organisations whose stated objective is to change the existing social system through violence will be considered ineligible for government appointments.
Participation in such activities within the three years preceding verification, provided the individual was at least 21 years old at the time, may be treated as evidence of continued involvement, NDTV reported.
However, the presumption may be reconsidered if there is concrete evidence of a positive change in the candidate’s conduct during the intervening period.
The order also states that candidates cannot be disqualified solely because of their political ideology. The filing of a first information report (FIR) or a pending investigation will not automatically render an applicant ineligible, NDTV reported.
The directive comes amid protests in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the functioning of the Election Commission. Youth demonstrations were also held in July over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have criticised the order, describing it as undemocratic and reminiscent of British colonial rule.
Congress leader Aaradhana Mona Mishra called the order unconstitutional, arguing that it should not affect students who peacefully protest for education and employment.
“The Constitution of this country gives people the right to peacefully express their views, protest and hold demonstrations,” she said. She added that restricting this right would be unconstitutional, while distinguishing peaceful dissent from attempts to incite unrest.
Samajwadi Party leader Udayveer Singh accused the BJP government of operating with an “intimidatory mindset”, NDTV reported.
Singh said similar orders had been issued under British rule, arguing that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed in independent India.
He also said changes in government take place through established legal processes, including elections, in which people are free to participate.