Ashwini Vaishnaw's Volte-Face On Lateral Entry
The central government directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to roll back its advertisement for lateral entry into bureaucracy after severe backlash by the opposition. Reacting to the same, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to X to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “social justice.” But netizens were quick to point out Vaishnaw’s change of heart within the span of two days.
Up until August 18, a day after the UPSC ad surfaced, Vaishnaw slammed the Congress for its “hypocrisy” on the issue. The railway minister praised the NDA government, led by PM Modi, for creating a “transparent method” to implement the provision. He further added, “Recruitment will be done through UPSC in a transparent and fair manner. This reform will improve governance.”
Read Also: Centre Pulls Lateral Entry Ad Amid Backlash From Key Ally, Opposition
Lateral entry
INC hypocrisy is evident on lateral entry matter. It was the UPA government which developed the concept of lateral entry.
The second Admin Reforms Commission (ARC) was established in 2005 under UPA government. Shri Veerappa Moily chaired it.
UPA period ARC…
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 18, 2024
However, after facing intense backlash by the opposition leaders along with NDA ally Chirag Paswan, Union Minister and leader of the LJP (Ram Vilas), the government rolled back the ad on August 20.
Once again, Vaishnaw took to X, but this time instead of defending the provision, he praised PM Modi for always believing in “social justice.”
“His programmes have advanced welfare of the weakest sections of our society. The decision to align lateral entry with principles of reservation shows PM Modi Ji’s commitment to social justice,” said Vaishnaw.
Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji has always firmly believed in social justice. His programmes have advanced welfare of the weakest sections of our society.
The decision to align lateral entry with principles of reservation shows PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s commitment to social…
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 20, 2024
Netizens were quick to point the flip by the minister of information and broadcasting. Reacting to the same, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted a photo of both the tweets and captioned, “The difference between reel and real life.”
The difference between reel and real life https://t.co/BG3OfFHPhX pic.twitter.com/Yo1WR9KDmp
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 20, 2024
Read Also: Lateral Entry And Reservation Controversy: Explained
Withdrawing the ad, PM Modi said that the “move should be aligned with social justice,” according to a letter from Union Minister Jitender Singh to the UPSC chairperson. The UPSC had advertised to fill for “talented and motivated Indian nationals” for senior roles within the Union government, including positions like Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary across 24 ministries, with 45 posts available through the lateral route.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised the advertisement, accusing the Modi government of “attacking” the Constitution and “ending reservation” for the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) in job recruitment.
