Officer Suspended Over ‘Derogatory’ Remark Against Mahatma Gandhi In Chhattisgarh

The development comes a day after Hindu religious leader Kalicharan Maharaj used abusive language against the Father of the Nation at an event here for which an FIR was registered against him.

Sanjay Dubey, posted as Assistant Food Officer here, was suspended after it was reported that he had made "insulting and derogatory" remarks against Mahatma Gandhi on a social media platform (Facebook), his suspension order said.

The officer denied the charge and said he has immense respect for the independence movement icon.

His act amounts to violation of the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965, and therefore he has been placed under suspension with immediate effect, the order added.

During the suspension period, he will be posted at the office of his department in Kabirdham district headquarters, it added.

A screenshot of comments purportedly made by Dubey and circulated on social media read,

“Neither Gandhi was a nation, nor a majority of people of this country consider him as father of the nation. Even the father of nation is not a constitutional post. The person who used to say that India could be partitioned only over his dead body, had himself divided the country in two parts. The person was responsible for killings of lakhs of countrymen."

The remarks were in reply to a comment on the social networking site.

However, Dubey claimed his Facebook account was hacked and he did not write the controversial remarks.

"My phone was hacked by someone who made such derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi ji. I have immense faith in Gandhi ji. He was the foremost person in nation-building. He is an honourable person for me,” the officer added.

The Chhattisgarh Police on Sunday registered an FIR against Kalicharan Maharaj on the charge of promoting enmity between classes after he used derogatory words against Mahatma Gandhi and hailed his assassin Nathuram Godse.

During the conclusion of the two-day 'dharma sansad' (religious parliament) at Ravan Bhata ground in Raipur on Sunday evening, Kalicharan Maharaj had used "abusive" words against the Father of the Nation and asked people to elect a staunch Hindu leader as the head of the government in order to protect the religion.

His statements drew flak from leaders of the ruling Congress in the state.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday slammed the seer for his remarks and said strict action will be taken in the matter.