Recent findings under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveal that UPSC Chief Pradeep Joshi's appointment as the chairperson of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) in 2006 was recommended by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Activist Ajay Dubey alleged that there were irregularities in the recruitment of professors during Joshi's tenure. Despite being under scrutiny for several entrance exams being cancelled or postponed, Joshi remains in his position. The Quint reached out to Joshi for comment, but has not received a response yet.
Background
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a Hindu nationalist organization that has been accused of influencing the Indian government and its institutions. Recent findings under the Right to Information (RTI) Act have raised concerns about the RSS's involvement in the appointment of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chief Pradeep Joshi.
Appointment Controversy
In 2006, Joshi was appointed as the chairperson of the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) by the state government. RTI documents reveal that his appointment was recommended by the RSS. This has led to allegations that the RSS had undue influence over the selection process.
Allegations of Irregularities
During Joshi's tenure as MPPSC chairperson, there were allegations of irregularities in the recruitment of professors. Activist Ajay Dubey has filed several RTI applications and alleged that these irregularities included:
Joshi's Tenure Scrutinized
Despite the allegations of irregularities, Joshi remains in his position as UPSC Chief. However, his tenure has been marred by controversy, including the cancellation or postponement of several entrance exams conducted by the UPSC.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who is Pradeep Joshi?
2. What is the RSS?
3. What are the allegations against Pradeep Joshi?
4. Why is Joshi's appointment controversial?
5. What is the status of Joshi's tenure as UPSC Chief?
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is expected to visit Ahmedabad on July 6 to meet and motivate Congress workers. This comes after a clash occurred between BJP and Congress workers outside the Congress office in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil has accused the police of not taking action against BJP workers, and has warned of a protest if action is not taken. The police have finally registered an FIR against BJP workers and a mob of 100-150 people, hours after Gohil's threat.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced a major setback in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, winning only 33 out of 80 seats in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. This dealt a blow to the party's hopes of securing a majority in the national parliament, and pushed the Samajwadi Party to the second position with 37 seats. The BJP's underwhelming performance has sparked discussions within the party regarding its campaign strategies and leadership.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister for the third time on July 4, 2024, amidst high tension. He had resigned as CM in January after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. Soren's father and JMM supremo Shibu Soren, mother Rupi Soren, and other senior leaders of the JMM-led alliance were present at the ceremony along with former CM Chamapi Soren, who resigned on Wednesday.
Hemant Soren, Executive President of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the third time on Thursday at a ceremony attended by top political leaders. This comes after Soren was granted bail in a money laundering case, just seven days after his arrest. This political development marks an end to the five-month-long tenure of outgoing Chief Minister Champai Soren.
According to a recent report, Lewis Hamilton's aggressive driving style has been causing issues with Mercedes' tires, preventing him from performing at his best. With the 2024 Pirelli tires being more sensitive, Hamilton's braking and accelerating tactics have been putting too much strain on them. This has led to struggles for the reigning world champion at the start of the 2024 season, with his last race win in 2021.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged victorious in all five seats in Uttarakhand, thanks to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's efficient election strategy and management. This clean sweep victory was made possible by the hard work of party workers and the strong support of the people, who have shown their trust in the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's affection for Uttarakhand and Devbhoomi has been a key factor in this historic win, with over two lakh crores worth of schemes being approved for the state.
The UK's ongoing general election could bring an end to 14 years of Conservative rule as predictions show the Labour Party on track for a historic victory. Amidst infighting and scandals within the Conservative Party and a cost-of-living crisis affecting the nation, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cast his vote on Thursday with fears of losing his own seat. With a record number of ethnic minority MPs expected to be voted into Parliament, the election's outcome could reflect the diversity of the British electorate.
Senior BJP leader and Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena has resigned from the state cabinet, following through on his promise to step down if the party lost any of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the recent polls. The results, announced on June 4, saw the party lose in Meena's hometown of Dausa. The 72-year-old leader had made the pledge during the election campaign.
Amidst the coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha speech in the Motion of Thanks, leading news channels were accused of showing indifference to the Hathras stampede where over 100 people lost their lives. Insensitive reporting and government's lack of empathy towards the incident is being criticized. It is found that the incident took place before 3 pm, yet it took TV news channels nearly three hours to make it the headline. This has sparked a debate on media priorities and government accountability.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha has called for the harshest action against those involved in organizing the Hathras Satsang event, stating that the edited video circulating showed the blatant disregard for COVID-19 protocols. The Enforcement Directorate has also revealed that a key person involved in the AAP's alleged excise policy scam was a cash handler for the party in the upcoming Goa elections. Meanwhile, security outside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Delhi residence has been heightened after intelligence inputs of possible disturbance from right-wing groups.