Lately, the 2001 batch IAS officer, Ms. Smita Sabharwal, found herself engulfed in an air of controversy when pictures of her meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Ms. Seethakka, went viral. Officer Sabharwal sat cross-legged in her first meeting with the Adivasi leader and Dy. CM Seethakka, which amused the trolls to the extent that they began criticising the senior bureaucrat, labelling it as an act of arrogance when faced with a leader of a marginalised community.
In her response to the trolls, Officer Sabharwal was fairly clear and succinct. She refused to entertain the trolls, stating how her sitting posture was nothing more than her personal choice and should have never been made a subject of media discourse. She mocked the trolls by asserting that she would be willing to change her ways if the constitution of India mandated her to do so. Citing her age, Officer Sabharwal emphasised that nobody should dictate how one should sit or stand, indicating that the controversy was vague.
Affectionately called “People’s Officer,” Ms. Smita Sabharwal secured an All India Rank of 4 in 2001 UPSC CSE, and before that, she was the All India Topper in ICSE during her 12th standard. She presently serves as the Member Secretary to the TS Finance Commission.
