Rather silly statement.Vijay J wrote:Venting should be kept private or atleast made indirect, this is the tradition and this is the culture.
The GoI has the right to appoint anyone it deems fit from the empanelled secys, for whatever considerations.
Equally, those not selected have equal rights to complain - privately, if in harness, and publicly , if not in harness - as long as matters of national security are not divulged.
Sikri is no longer in harness in his IAS capacity.
As a private citizen, it is his right to publicly or privately vent at his ex-employer's decision any which way he deems fit.
He needn't be like Ali Kuli, a nobleman ( Pashtun feudal class ) whose career in the army was hardly aimed to gain higher social status.
Sikri may have joined the IAS for name and fame, and his obvious frustration for not being nominated for a long-cherished position of status definitely shows.
It is understandable that he made his displeasure known publicly, unlike Ali Kuli.
This talk of "tradition" and "culture" and appeal to "civility" and "propriety" to stymy freedom of public expression of government officials is uncalled for.
Let them say what they want.
The "tradition" should be to encourage and accept constructive criticism, and to investigate and ensure that the functioning of the government, the secretariat and the rest of bureaucracy is not suffering from any nepotistic morass or ameritorious considerations. Period.
PS: Oops! No intention of continuing on this vent. Feel free to delete the post, Ramana.
