Even as 39 people lost their lives, more than 260 were wounded and property worth crores of rupees destroyed in violence in the aftermath of court’s verdict against Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Haryana, the politicians kept mum but a few bureaucrats have now raised questions on the way Manohar lal Khattar Government mishandled the entire situation.
Haryana cadre IAS officers Ashok Khemka, Pradeep Kasni and Virender Kundu, who had in the past taken stand against wrongdoings of political masters, have lashed out at the State Government for its failure to act sternly with the emergency situation and control violence on August 25 in the state.
The three senior IAS officers, who are known for being upright, sincere and honest, took to social media and criticized the BJP Government for its “inept” political and administrative response to control the violence stemming from dera sect followers after the verdict.
The 1991-batch IAS officer, Ashok Khemka, who is Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment posted on Twitter, “Strong learn from past failures. A weak and fearful mind finds excuses. Fear and greed combined is worst (sic).”
“The two sadhvi victims who bore the pain with great fortitude for last 15 years are real heroes. Our 'Rulers' should learn from them,” he posted in a separate tweet.
Khemka had shot to fame after the previous Congress led State Government chargesheeted and hounded him for exposing Robert Vadra-DlF land deal in the state. While Khemka was expected to get key assignments after the BJP came to power in Haryana in October 2014, the IAS officer was transferred on several occasions during the current government.
Raising questions on the State Government’s response and its ministers’ donation to the dera sect, the 1997-batch IAS officer, Pradeep Kasni posted on Twitter, “failureIJ no. not even collapse. worse than that.”
“Sociopathy and smugness of so called social work and palpable philanthropy needs to be revisited. Must not be taken on their facevalue" (sic), said he. In another tweet a day before, the IAS officer posted, “daan" (donation) to a religious outfit is not a fit charge on public exchequer.
Known for exposing corrupt practices in the State Government, both Khemka and Kasni have been transferred several times and continued to languish at inconsequential postings during Khattar Government despite the BJP making corruption a key issue in lok Sabha and Haryana assembly polls. Known as “whistleblower” IAS officers, both had on several occasions hit out at the State Government through their Twitter accounts.
On the other hand, the 1986-batch IAS officer, Virender Kundu, who is posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, stood up against the ruling political class when her daughter Varnika Kundu was allegedly harassed and chased by Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala’s son Vikas Barala, and his friend Ashish Kumar.
This high-profile Chandigarh stalking case had triggered nation-wide outrage and a spate of protests and also, caused a lot of embarrassment to the BJP led Haryana Government.
Expressing his displeasure over the violence that occurred at Panchkula, Kundu posted on Facebook, “Huge, huge respect for Judge Jagdeep Singh. The only shining star among the government officers in today’s tragedy in Panchkula. His was the toughest task today, and he did not sway an inch from his stand. Wish the rest of administration had shown a millionth of his grit and courage. Over 30 lives could have been saved.”
“Some things that politicians will never learn. Because it suits them not to…,” Kundu posted on his Facebook page, while commenting on the pictures of clash between dera followers and security forces, shared by his daughter Varnika Kundu.
Followers of dera sect Ram Rahim, who had gathered at Panchkula adjoining Chandigarh in lakhs before the CBI court verdict, went on a rampage, setting on fire several vehicles and government buildings, moments after his conviction in a rape case on August 25.
