IAS Smita Sabharwal has recently upped the ante on the contentious “Puja Khedkar Fake Disability Certificate Saga” through her controversial take on the ‘necessity’ of disability quotas in India’s premium government services. She opines that since ‘differently-abled’ individuals find it difficult to tend to the demanding conditions of work in All India Services, such a Quota should not exist in the first place.
Taking to X from her official handle (where she has over 4.3 lakh followers), Officer Sabharwal had written, “With all due respect to the Differently Abled. Does an Airline hire a pilot with disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability. The nature of the #AIS ( IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field-work, long taxing hours, listening first hand to people’s grievances-which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this Quota in the first place!”
As this debate is blowing up-
— Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) July 21, 2024
With all due respect to the Differently Abled. 🫡
Does an Airline hire a pilot with disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability.
The nature of the #AIS ( IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field-work, long taxing hours, listening first hand to…
This tweet made her the cynosure of intense banter between dissenters and supporters, alike. When an X-user lamented over the fact that ‘an IAS officer was fundamentally ignorant about disability’ and enunciated that “most disabilities have no impact on stamina or intelligence.” Officer Sabharwal, in her reply, stated, “I am fundamentally aware of the needs of the job. The issue here is about the suitability for a ground job. Also, I firmly believe other Services within the Govt such as desk/think-tank nature is well suited.”
In another instance, Ms. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra, countered IAS Sabharwal and wrote on X, “This is such a pathetic and exclusionary view to have. Interesting to see how bureaucrats are showing their limited thoughts and their privilege too.” Officer Sabharwal was swift to respond and wrote, “If bureaucrats do not speak on pertinent issues of governance, then who will? My thoughts and concern, stem from a career of 24 odd years… no limited experience.”
Find the original tweet here:
Madam, with due respect, if bureaucrats do not speak on pertinent issues of governance, then who will ? My thoughts and concern, stem from a career of 24 odd years… no limited experience.
— Smita Sabharwal (@SmitaSabharwal) July 21, 2024
Kindly read the view in entirety. I have stated that the #AIS has different demands… https://t.co/C6bzSyi6DX
Later, Officer Sabharwal took to X and expressed her final stand on the virtual debate by writing, “I suppose addressing the elephant in the room gets you that reaction. Would request the Rights Activists to also examine why this quota has still not been implemented in the IPS/ IFoS and certain sectors like defence. My limited point is that the IAS is no different. To live in an inclusive society is a dream that we all subscribe to. Insensitivity has no place in my mind.”
IAS Sabharwal’s Feed Becomes A Hotbed For Discord:
Many individuals, mostly articulate netizens and even eminent personalities engaged in the debate and expressed their views on the matter.
One of those who opposed Ms. Sabharwal’s take wrote:
“Thanks to your understanding. Locomotor disability doesnt mean a person cant move without any support. Im my self a locomotor disabled and an Amputee. I have travelled 4 countries alone, I have travelled all south states. I run a business, I drive , I Swim. I walk with crutches.
And most of the modern day IAS and IPS are not into service they are treating themselves as Kings and Queens, they are enjoying luxurious life forgetting they are civil Servants.” Officer Sabharwal replied, “Hats off to you.”
Another dissenter wrote, “My daughter has loco motor issue with more issue of chronic neurological conditions. But she stood first in her class. Trying to swim, cycle, and wants me to teach driving. I wish we had automobile company who could come up to help with hand accelerator. With all respect Madam @SmitaSabharwal there is no quota for disabled in IPS, IFS and IFoS meaning these services have already been categorised as not suitable for disabled. Disabled people have been given access to only IAS out of three AIS.”
There were users who supported Officer Sabharwal’s take, too. One user wrote, “You are right madam , I think the disability quota can sometimes lead to tokenism rather than genuine empowerment and this can undermine the credibility of the services also. This is the big compromise with the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration.”
Another stated, “Support Smita madam views. She talks about particular services that can be avoided to get maximum efficiency. What’s wrong with this? It’s not about empowering differently abled.”
“You are absolutely right. All the virtue signalling folks will jump on you today. Quotas for disabled in high intensity jobs should be relooked. Many come to regret it later and are given lighter postings. The brilliant ones like Ms Singhal will get in without quotas,” observed another user.
Officer Smita Sabharwal, affectionately endeared as “people’s officer,” is a 2001-batch Telangana cadre IAS officer, who became the first female IAS Officer to be appointed to the Chief Minister’s Office.
With all due respect to the IAS Officer,
— UPSC NOTES (@UPSC_Notes) July 21, 2024
This is the most illogical comparison. I never expected such an insensitive comment from a senior IAS Officer.
The issue you’re highlighting involves the logical fallacy of making inappropriate comparisons.
The examples you provided… pic.twitter.com/voUlNipVeE
