In a constitutional democracy, bureaucrats are meant to be above the political fray, and represent, serve and defend the country, not a government.
OF course, Indian diplomats stationed overseas should showcase the values of Indian democracy, stand by them, defend them when they are under attack. A newspaper editorial, howsoever critical it may be, is hardly an attack that needs an Ambassador to get so riled up. But skins are thin these days and Indian Foreign Service officer and Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra did get riled up. And in what looks like a zeal to appear more loyal than professional, he shot off a rejoinder that makes him look prickly, not exactly the mature voice representing a global power. The Irish Times editorial, headlined ‘Modi tightens his grip’, predicts a “comfortable third term” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and argues that his “undoubted personal popularity and economic success… will play the major part in his victory.” It then goes on to say that he has “leant heavily on a widespread crackdown on free speech and opposition parties” and refers to the role played by Central agencies and the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal.
Mishra’s rejoinder lists key achievements of the government and praises the PM’s “impeccable personal character” and “unprecedented popularity.” It’s right to underline that “Hindus of India possess incredible diversity of thought, ways of life and political beliefs, covering the entire spectrum from extreme left to extreme right…” and “regularly vote to power non-Hindu nationalists.” Where Mishra blurs a professional line is when, to make his case, he attributes Modi’s popularity to “the fight against the deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption (created by the 55-year rule, including the first 30 years by a single dynastic party in India)”. He uses brackets but the punctuation isn’t the point. This makes his rejoinder a political rebuttal rather than a note from a diplomat.
In a constitutional democracy, bureaucrats are meant to be above the political fray, and represent, serve and defend the country, not a government. This is why the All-India Services (Conduct) Rules unequivocally state, “Every member of the Service shall maintain… political neutrality.” Mishra’s swipe at the Congress, unfortunately, betrays a broader trend across ideological lines and governments. In West Bengal, the transfer of senior IPS officers and even a chief secretary became politicised. Earlier this year, officials at the Union Finance Ministry helped prepare a “White Paper” on the economy and referred to “our government.” Bureaucrats, of course, should be free to express their personal opinion — that, indeed, enriches public discourse. But in the discharge of their duties, they must remember they work for the Government of India — not the party in power. That’s not an academic distinction, it’s what safeguards the institutions and the Constitution. On X, the handle of the Indian Embassy in Ireland is an active one, showcasing events that reflect the richness of India — from a Tamil festival to a Kerala tourism briefing. Surely, Ambassador Mishra doesn’t need to sound like a party activist to make a diplomatic point.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 18-04-2024 at 07:30 IST
