Disability Quota Remark: Sabharwal Accepts Challenge From IAS Mentor Officer To Take Re-Exam

Amid massive backlash to her social media post questioning the need for a disability quota in civil services, Telangana cadre IAS officer Smita Sabharwal on Tuesday expressed her willingness to accept the challenge from differently-abled IAS mentor Bala Latha Mallavarapu to retake the civil service examination.

Former civil servant Bala Latha Mallavarapu who currently runs a Hyderabad academy training IAS aspirants, demanded a public apology from Smita Sabharwal for her views against the Persons with Disability (PwD) reservation in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union public Service Commission (UPSC). “I am asking Smitha Sabharwal to resign and write civil exams with me and beat my score. I will prove that a differently-abled can score better marks than her,” Bala Latha said.

I would take on her odd challenge but doubt UPSC will permit me due to my advanced age 😄
Since @sudhakarudumula you are her spokesperson pls do ask her only one Question –

To what use has she put her privilege of Disability Quota ?
To run coaching institutes or to serve the… https://t.co/sXmuLY0TkU

— Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) July 23, 2024

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Mallavarapu made this comment while attending a press conference held at the Somajiguda Press Club. She further questioned Sabharwal for making such derogatory remarks which undermines the judiciary and parliamentary decisions.

She emphasized that her words have further marginalized the disabled community, which already faces significant discrimination.

Accepting the challenge, Sabharwal stated on X that she would retake the civil service exams to beat Bala Latha’s score but doubted if the UPSC would permit her due to her age, “I would take on her odd challenge but doubt UPSC will permit me due to my advanced age”.

The IAS officer further asked, “To what use has she put her privilege of Disability Quota ? To run coaching institutes or to serve the people through field-work ??”

Mallavarapu called for Chief Minister Revnath Reddy to take action against Sabharwal under the Code of Conduct for civil services indiscipline during the press confrence. She also questioned the duration and impact of Sabharwal’s fieldwork, particularly during her tenure as CMO under KCR’s regime, suggesting that Sabharwal’s statements reflect a lack of understanding of administration and the challenges faced by the disabled.

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“The disabled have made remarkable achievements, overcoming significant obstacles. It is painful to hear such uninformed statements from someone in a position of authority,” Mallavarapu stated.