Mangaluru: Senior IAS officer Sanjeev Khirwar and his wife and fellow IAS officer Rinku Dugga, were transferred out of the National Capital on Thursday May 26, hours after reports alleging misuse of facilities at Delhi’s Thyagraj Stadium.
Khirwar has been transferred to Ladakh and Dugga to Arunachal Pradesh. Their exile from the Capital was caused when it was discovered that players at the sports complex were forced to complete training earlier than usual so that the couple may walk their dog around the stadium.
The Home Ministry had requested a report from the Delhi Chief Secretary on the report of an IAS couple’s misuse of facilities at Thyagraj Stadium and had taken action when he submitted it.
The couple’s exile from Delhi to Ladakh in the North and Arunachal Pradesh in the Northeast, however, has sparked a new controversy, opposing the punishment posting. People have been expressing their thoughts about it on Twitter using #IASCouple, #IASOfficer and #dogwalking.
Irate by the shameful incident, BJP’s Akshay Kapoor tweeted that the British hangover has to go. “Civil servants have to understand they are here to serve the nation including its people. Attitude is very important in any job or business,” he added.
Taking to Twitter, a user noted, “why transfer ?? they should lose their jobs. Misuse of public property n taxpayer money. I am posted in Ladakh for the past 2 yrs. Transfer to Ladakh is no big deal. Strict action for termination of their jobs.”
“Ladakh & Arunachal Need Committed Officers – Not such an Irresponsible Officer. Both areas have faced Chinese ingress. They need dedicated officers, not ‘punishment’ postings,” was a response from a Twitter user.
Another person stated that the law is the same for everyone, be it for IAS officers or the common man.
A user pointed out that people should start thinking about the ‘real’ issue. “No more painful mediocre humour with the poor dog as a subject. #Ladakh and #Arunachal deserve better IAS officers, not some leftovers.”
The Tweets did not stop with just criticisms as people also shared hilarious memes of the incident. One tweet goes like this, “Dog to athletes: My papa is IAS, he can even get whole Delhi empty so that I can walk freely,” and another wrote, “Poor dog is completely confused whether he should go to Ladakh or Arunachal Pradesh.” There were even tweets with the IAS officer’s and the dog’s present locations marked in a circle on an Indian map.
#IASCouple who walked Dog in Delhi stadium have been transferred to #Ladakh and #ArunachalPradesh .#WhereWillTheDogGo #IASOfficer
Now the problem arise ? pic.twitter.com/tXYES0EqrE— Anamika Thakur (@anamika943) May 27, 2022
People also shared praising tweets on IAS Officer Keerthi Jalli of Assam’s Cacher District for reaching out to people in flood-affected areas, contrasting the abuse of power by the IAS couple abuse of power. Pictures and videos of the incident have gone viral as well.
“At first glance, nobody will believe this is an IAS officer! After her pics went viral Keerthi Jalli, DC Cachar is receiving praise for her simplicity & service during the flood crisis. Piggyback rider politicians can take a lesson or two from her! God bless,” stated a Twitter user.
