Participation by Government servants in proselytisation

 Participation by Government servants in proselytisation – instruction regarding

The question has been raised whether a specific provision should be added to the Central Civil Service (Conduct) Rules to prohibit Government servants from taking part in proselytizing activities.

2. The Constitution of India is based on the principle of secular state and expressly prohibits any discrimination in favour of or against any person or classes of persons on religious grounds. It follows, that, though servants of the State are entitled in their private lives freely to profess, practise or propagate any religion, they should so conduct themselves in public as to leave no room for an impression to arise that they are likely, in their official dealings, to favour persons belonging to any particular religion. Such an impression is bound to arise in respect of a Government servant who participates in brining about or organizing conversions from one religion to another and such conduct would be even more reprehensible if, in the process, he makes use, directly or indirectly, of his official position or influence.

3. As such cases are not likely to be very frequent, it has been decided that no specific provision need be added to the existing Conduct Rules. Nevertheless participation in proselytizing activities or the direct or indirect use of official position and influence in such activities on the part of a Government servant may be treated as good and sufficient reasons for taking disciplinary action against him under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules.

[MHA OM No. 25/50/57-Ests.(A), dated 15.01.1958]