Unfortunate that govt has singled you out for voicing opinion: Rahul to Shah Faesal IAS

New Delhi, 18 July 2018 [Fik/News Sources]:  Congress President Rahul Gandhi has come out in support of IAS officer Shah Faesal of Jammu and Kashmir cadre against the state government's decision to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him over his tweet on rising incidents of rape in the country.

"I write to you in solidarity against the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to initiate an inquiry for expressing your opinion on the rising incidents of rapes in India. We stand by you in letter and spirit," Rahul said in a letter to Faesal.

Faesal, the first from the Valley to top the UPSC Civil Services exam was issued the notice after he wrote on Twitter saying, "Population +patriarchy +illiteracy +alcohol +porn +technology +anarchy = rapistan".

"It is extremely troubling that the Government has singled you out for voicing opinion, which exhibits an insecurity that is unbecoming of any government", Rahul wrote in his letter.

Rahul, in his letter to the IAS officer, further said the founders of the country had envisioned freedom of expression as the fundamental right of every citizen.

"This freedom not only allows a nation to introspect on pressing social problems but also helps us find ways to address them. I feel it is extremely troubling that the government has singled you out for voicing your opinions. It exhibits an insecurity that is unbecoming of any government," the Congress president said.

Conveying his party's support to Faesal, Gandhi added, "You deserve to be appreciated for identifying and courageously highlighting the issues that plague India."

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had issued notice against Faesal and asked the state to initiate action against him. Faesal is presently in the US pursuing a post-graduate course. "You have allegedly failed to maintain absolute honesty and integrity in the discharge of official duty and thus acted in a manner unbecoming of a public servant," the DoPT said in the notice.