The Freethought Party of India (FPI) in collaboration with AMOFOI observed August 2 as the ‘Government Servants’ Free Speech Day’ so as to remind high ranking officers of the fact that they cannot take repressive measures against subordinate servants as per their whims.
The celebration was presided over by BSP leader Madhusudan Yadav. While giving a historical background of the celebration, FPI general secretary B Ramchandra CST Voltaire went back to his days in Kalahandi College, Bhawanipatna, and quoted the landmark judgment of the Orissa High Court that was delivered on August 2, 1971 on his writ plea.
“It is a matter of pity that meanwhile 51 years have gone by but the Government of Odisha did not care to implement the judgment of the High Court,” lamented Voltaire and urged the CM and Chief Secretary to take out Rule 6(ii) and Rule 7(i) from the Odisha Government Servants’ Conduct Rules of 1959 as per the orders of the HC dated August 2, 1971.
Yadav outlined the importance of free speech in a democracy. He slammed the State Government for ignoring the HC order for a long time.
S JYOTIRANJAN