The recent decision by the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government to prohibit its over half a million employees from participating in demonstrations or strikes in support of their demands has sparked criticism from opposition parties. The move has been characterized as a constraint on the fundamental rights of government employees.
Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister and President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), took to X to denounce the decision, calling it a “dictatorial mindset.” She expressed her concern about the ban on peaceful protests by government employees, emphasizing that stifling voices of reason in a democracy is unacceptable. Mufti further condemned the threat of dire consequences and disciplinary action against the employees.
LG admin’s blanket ban on peaceful
protests by government employees reeks of a dictatorial mindset. Stifling voices of reason in a democracy is unacceptable. Threatening them with dire consequences & disciplinary action is outrageous. pic.twitter.com/oapnHnOpco— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 4, 2023
Farooq Abdullah, leader of the National Conference (NC), expressed solidarity with the employees and labeled the move as unjust. He stressed the importance of addressing the employees’ difficulties and stated that a government’s functioning depends on the efforts of its employees.
Sajjad Lone, chairperson of the Peoples Conference (PC), described the decision as a brazen act and criticized the administration for using J&K as a testing laboratory. He pointed out that such a prohibition on employees’ right to protest is not in line with the principles applicable in the rest of the country.
MY Tarigami, a leader from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), also condemned the government’s order. He argued that the order contradicts the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions to which India is a party. Tarigami emphasized that government employees resort to demonstrations and rallies when their legitimate and just demands are not met, making the directive an infringement on their constitutional rights.
The order contravenes the ILO conventions to which India is a party. Government employees only stage demonstrations and rallies when their legitimate and just demands are not fulfilled. The directive is yet another assault on the employees' and workers' constitutional rights. pic.twitter.com/rEqvFaPnk6
— M Y Tarigami (@tarigami) November 3, 2023
The government’s decision, as outlined in an official memo dated November 3, has been met with strong opposition. The memo, signed by Rohit Sharma, additional secretary to the J&K government (General Administration Department), cited Rule 20 (ii) of the J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971, which prohibits government employees from engaging in or supporting strikes related to their service or the service of others. It warned of consequences for violations of this rule.
The memo also called upon administrative secretaries to instruct employees within their respective departments to refrain from participating in such demonstrations and strikes. It emphasized that such actions are considered serious indiscipline and misconduct, and it urged departments to take strict disciplinary action against employees involved in organizing such activities.
Earlier in the year, the J&K government had issued guidelines prohibiting employees from criticizing government actions and policies on social media, with violations potentially resulting in disciplinary action. These guidelines prohibited government employees from discussing or criticizing government policies on social media and engaging in political or divisive discussions.
The Chenab Times News Desk