Smita Sabharwal, the reputed IAS officer, is in trouble. The other day, she sparked a row by calling for the scrapping of reservations for the differently-abled populace. Known as The People’s Officer, Smita became the first lady IAS officer to be appointed to the Chief Minister's Office during KCR's tenure as the CM.
Following Smita's remarks, Hyderabad-based IAS trainer Bala Latha, who is herself a disabled person, launched a diatribe against her on Monday. "Doesn't she want disabled people to live in this country? If that's what her opinion is, we will banish ourselves. She is physically fit but mentally, she has some problems," Bala Latha said.
In a way, Bala Latha instigated others to file multiple police complaints against Smita. On Tuesday, a group of complainants spoke outside the Ibrahimpatnam police station against Smita. "Police complaints have been launched at numerous police stations across Telangana," they said.
This is shocking and stupid, dangerous and immature. Legal harassment for merely expressing an opinion will terrify other bureaucrats, commentators and even politicians from expressing opinions in the future without fear. Without debates and arguments, how can a country progress?
In her extreme tirade on Monday, Bala Latha said that IAS officers are civil servants and not civil masters. As such, as per Bala Latha, they shouldn't comment or opine on issues. This is nonsensical and goes to show her inferior intelligence. If IAS officers shouldn't express opinions, why are IAS aspirants expected to comment on complex issues in IAS exams?
