UP Bars Candidates From Violent Groups

The Uttar Pradesh government has tightened character-verification rules for direct recruitment to government jobs. Candidates associated with organisations that advocate changing the existing social or political system through violence will be barred.

The revised guidelines apply to appointments in state departments, corporations, boards, councils and local bodies. Membership of an organisation whose stated objective is “regime change” or the alteration of the existing order through violent means can render a candidate ineligible for government employment.

However, the government has clarified that no applicant can be declared ineligible solely on the basis of political ideology. The distinction is between holding political beliefs and being associated with an organisation or activity that seeks violent change.

Serious offences, including murder, rape, and terrorism, can result in permanent disqualification from government service. Police and Local Intelligence Unit reports will have to be submitted within 30 days.

The order has drawn political attention, with the opposition criticising it as restrictive, while the state government maintains that the rules target violent activity rather than political opinion.