The News Minute| January 26, 2015| 6.30 pm IST
In November 2014, Sushmita Arunkumar, an accountant from Pune was featured on a YouTube account called ‘DayofLord Jesus’. Sushmita happily looked into the camera and described how her spondylitis had been cured as Jesus helped her.
Deepa, a housewife from Mumbai took the mike at an event in December 2014 and thanked her healer for curing her from arthritis.
Sushmita, Deepa and many others had experienced these miracles at programmes conducted by none other than a Tamil Nadu IAS officer.
Known as a whistle blower, C Umashankar IAS, a 1990 batch officer, though born as a Hindu Dalit, chose to become a Christian in 2008.
“I was at the brink of suicide after many political parties targeted me for my exposes. That’s when Jesus came to me,” Umashankar says.
Umashankar, currently Commissioner for disciplinary proceedings, a staunch believer of Jesus, has been leading preaching sessions all over the state and outside too for almost three years now. But he is in the news again as the Tamil Nadu government has him to not go ahead with “preaching and propagating” religion, after unrest after one such session. The government has warned that it would take action against him if he failed to abide.
The Times of India reported that the state’s Chief Secretary K. Gnanadesikan has written to Umashankar saying, “It has been brought to the notice of government that you are going to take part in preaching and propagating activities in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts from January 24 to January 26 which are likely to cause communal disharmony and disturbance to public order. You are directed not to indulge in such activities which are unbecoming of a member of the service, failing which, necessary and appropriate action would be taken under relevant provisions of All India Services (conduct) Rules, 1968 read with the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal ) Rules, 1969.
The government’s move comes after Umashankar’s visit to Kanyakumari few days back that had created tension. A mob had attacked the officer and the police filed two cases against 12 persons in connection with the attack.
Kanyakumari according to the government is a place vulnerable to communal violence, and a police report to the government reportedly complained about Umashankar’s meetings.
“I have cancelled several meetings in the district. But who is the government to stop me? I am a Dalit and minority, and therefore I require double protection. I went to preach inside a church, no one can say their right was violated by me. Worshiping Jesus is my religious right. Where is service rule stopping me from preaching inside or outside a church?” Umashankar told The News Minute.
In fact the IAS officer blames the Hindu Munnani and BJP for the Tamil Nadu government’s warning. “I have been preaching for years. BJP government is in Delhi, rest of it you have to make the assumption.”
Umashankar alleges that three attempts have been made to kill him. “The last one was few days ago. Some people attacked my car, threw boulders at the car. Some of those behind the attack belonged to the Hindu Munnani.”
But when asked whether he made attempts to proselytize, that had given way to protests, he denied. “No one can make people convert. Jesus’ love make people choose. I have a fundamental right to practice and preach. The TN government cannot threaten me like this with service rules.”
However, Umashankar’s argument that his fundamental rights overcome all service rules doesn’t cut ice with some. Former Cabinet Secretary T.S.R. Subramanium is of the opinion that Conduct Rules of civil service officers does impose regulations.
“I am not aware of the facts of this particular case but while in service, a civil servant cannot profess religion. If one wants to, he must relinquish office and do it. Article 25 is fine but it should be read with the Conduct Rules. A civil servant should get prior permission from the government before writing anything for a newspaper. Constitution permits freedom of expression but this rule of service cannot be overlooked. Similarly, every person has the right to become a member of any political party but Conduct Rules say that a member of a political party cannot be a civil servant, he must give up the membership to be in office,” Subramanium told The News Minute.
But Umashankar isn’t convinced, “These people don’t know that my fundamental right is above all. I will continue to preach. I will challenge this order. What I do after 5.30 pm is not the state's concern.”