New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition, has vocally criticized the Narendra Modi government’s approach to recruiting top government officials through lateral entry, claiming it discriminates against Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Gandhi articulated his concerns on the social media platform X, stating, “Lateral entry is an attack on Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis. BJP’s distorted version of Ram Rajya seeks to destroy the Constitution and snatch reservations from Bahujans.” His remarks echo broader apprehensions among opposition leaders regarding the inclusivity and fairness of the Modi administration’s recruitment strategies.

Further intensifying the controversy, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav labeled the lateral entry scheme a “big conspiracy” aimed at undermining the rights of historically disadvantaged groups, including Dalits and minorities. This backlash follows a recent notification by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announcing vacancies for Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries through lateral entry, which many opposition members argue bypasses traditional reservation systems in government employment.

Highlighting a departure from standard recruitment protocols, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi of using the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a channel for appointing public servants, thus sidelining the established UPSC process. He contended that this method effectively strips away the reservation rights of SC, ST, and OBC categories by filling crucial positions in various central government ministries through lateral entry.