The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has recently demoted one of its officers for posting offensive social media posts against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some Union ministers and chief ministers.

The officer Urujul Hasan, who was serving as the deputy director (security), and is currently under suspension, was penalized after disciplinary proceedings against him.

As per an order issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat, chairman Venkaiah Naidu has ‘imposed the penalty of reduction to the lower grade of security officer for a period of five years’ on Hasan.

Moreover, Hasan would not get increments in his salary for five years or regain his current position on the expiry of the punishment period, the order stated.

According to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Hasan was penalized on charges of ‘offensive, derogatory, demeaning and sarcastic posts on social media’.

Moreover, the Secretariat also stated that Hasan also shared a number of posts ‘indicating his active involvement or assistance or indulgence in political activities, canvassing in connection with an election to the legislature and failure to maintain political neutrality etc.’

Action was taken under Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and Rule 14 of Rajya Sabha Secretariat (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1957.

The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and Rajya Sabha Secretariat (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1957 bar employees from taking part in any activity considered “unbecoming of a government servant”.