In the midst of a row over a television program alleging Moslem infiltration into the Indian Public Service, a secretive training centre with links to a right-wing Hindu Nationalist organisation has denied it is doing much the same thing for its candidates.
Even so, the Samkalp Foundation has claimed a 61 per cent success rate in this year’s examination for entry into the Public Service.
The Foundation is supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) whose stated aim is to strengthen the Hindu nationalist ideal in India.
It has close ideological links to the governing Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi.
Of the 759 candidates picked by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to enter the Public Service this year, as many as 466 had undertaken Samkalp’s Interview Guidance Program (IGP), the Foundation claims.
One source, who did not wish to be identified, said Samkalp was started as a way to ensure the “bureaucracy is rid of its leftist bent gradually”.
Over the years, Samkalp has emerged as one of the leading Public Service coaching institutes across the country, but unlike many others, it is non-profit and is aggressively opposed to media coverage.
Former Delhi Police Commissioner, R.S. Gupta (pictured) a senior office-bearer of the Foundation, said it preferred to work quietly.
“We do not interact with the media at all. We don’t want publicity. We have not interacted with the media in the last 30 years,” Mr Gupta said.
“The information related to Samkalp is only meant for the Samkalp family — the students who come here and their families.”
Mr Gupta refused to share any further information about the Foundation.
However, a former Indian Administrative Service Officer, T.R. Raghunandan said Samkalp could not change the “inclusive nature” of bureaucracy in India.
“Given how powerful the bureaucracy is, everyone will want their share of its power, but as long as the Union Public Service Commission’s credibility is intact, there is no need to set off alarm bells,” Mr Raghunandan said.
New Delhi, 18 September 2020
