New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government's latest initiative to recruit 45 senior-level officers through the lateral entry mode has sparked significant political controversy. Opposition leaders accuse the government of undermining the reservation system designed to protect opportunities for marginalized communities in India.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has condemned the move, alleging that it is a deliberate effort by the BJP to exclude Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) from key government positions. In a post on X, Kharge criticized the BJP, stating, "BJP, which has ripped apart the Constitution, has made a double attack on reservation!"

Kharge accused the BJP of orchestrating recruitment practices that intentionally marginalize SC, ST, and OBC communities. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav echoed similar concerns, calling the move a "dirty joke" on the reservation system and the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Yadav argued that had these positions been filled through the traditional civil services examination, a significant portion would have been reserved for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.

Yadav further criticized the government for denying these communities their due share in governance. He posted on X, "In the last election, the prime minister and his allies claimed that no one could take away their rights by ending reservation. However, right before their eyes, the rights of the deprived and neglected sections are being eroded."

The controversy follows the Union Public Service Commission's (UPSC) recent advertisement for 45 posts to be filled via lateral entry. This includes 10 joint secretaries and 35 directors/deputy secretaries. These positions, typically filled by officers from all-India services like the IAS, IPS, and IFoS, are now being offered on a contract basis through lateral entry.

Introduced by the Modi government in 2018, the lateral entry initiative aims to bring specialized talent from the private sector and other non-governmental organizations into the government, with the intention of enhancing administrative efficiency. Since its inception, 63 appointments have been made through this method, with 35 from the private sector.

Despite its goals, the lateral entry system has faced criticism for bypassing the reservation system, which is intended to address historical injustices and promote social justice by reserving a percentage of government jobs for marginalized communities. Critics argue that this approach undermines the principles of equal opportunity enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

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