Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that corruption in Uttar Pradesh is making it difficult for honest government officers to continue in service, claiming that some are choosing to leave before completing their tenure.

Yadav made the remarks while commenting on the resignation of IAS officer Divya Mittal. He alleged that the situation in the state was such that honest officers were finding it increasingly difficult to work.

According to Yadav, officers who want to discharge their duties honestly are facing an environment that is not conducive to their functioning. He claimed that some such officers are opting to leave government service rather than continue under these circumstances.

Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks on honest officers

Yadav linked the resignation of officers to what he described as the prevailing corruption in the Uttar Pradesh administration.

The Samajwadi Party leader alleged that officers who do not want to compromise with corruption are being pushed towards leaving service. His remarks came in the context of Divya Mittal’s resignation from the IAS.

Yadav’s comments are allegations directed at the state administration and do not, by themselves, establish that corruption was the reason for any particular officer’s resignation.

Divya Mittal’s resignation

IAS officer Divya Mittal’s resignation was the immediate context for Yadav’s remarks. Yadav used the development to raise questions about the working environment for government officers in Uttar Pradesh.

The Samajwadi Party chief argued that the departure of officers before retirement raises concerns about the conditions under which government officials are expected to work.

His comments add to the political debate over governance and corruption in Uttar Pradesh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kyrgyzstan and reiterated India’s support for efforts aimed at bringing peace to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

During a joint statement with Putin, PM Modi said India supports all peaceful efforts to resolve the conflict and will continue to back such initiatives.

“India advocates for resolving all problems peacefully, which is necessary for all of humanity,” PM Modi said.

The meeting between the two leaders took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Modi’s remarks underlined India’s stated position that conflicts should be addressed through peaceful means. The Prime Minister emphasised the broader importance of resolving disputes peacefully for humanity.

The meeting comes as India and Russia continue to maintain close bilateral ties, with the two countries also discussing matters of mutual interest during high-level engagements.

A First Information Report has been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani over his alleged remarks concerning a purification ritual carried out at a public venue following a Congress event.

The case relates to a controversy surrounding a religious ritual at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan, where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally. The incident has triggered a political dispute between the Congress and the BJP over allegations of caste discrimination.

What is the case against Rahul Gandhi?

According to the complaint, Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about the incident allegedly hurt the sentiments of members of the Valmiki community.

The complainant has alleged that Gandhi described the cleaning and havan ceremony as an act of untouchability and an atrocity against the Scheduled Caste community without verifying the circumstances surrounding the ritual.

The FIR invokes provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, along with Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Congress-BJP clash over purification ritual

The controversy began after a “shuddhikaran” or purification havan was conducted at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after Kharge addressed a Congress rally there.

Congress leaders have alleged that the ritual reflected caste-based discrimination because Kharge is a Dalit leader. Rahul Gandhi had demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensure an FIR against those responsible under the SC/ST Act.

The BJP has rejected the allegations and said the ritual was not linked to Kharge’s caste. Organisers have also said the havan was conducted to cleanse the venue of general filth rather than because of the identity of the Congress leader who had addressed the rally.

The FIR against Gandhi has now added another dimension to the ongoing political dispute.