Rahul Gandhi backs IAS officer Shah Faesal over 'Rapistan' tweet controversy. Here's the Congress president's letter

In a startling development, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has given his full backing to outspoken IAS officer Shah Faesal, who h earlier become embroiled in controversy for issuing a tweet where he h referred to India as 'Rapistan'.

On official All India Congress Committee (AICC) letterhe, Rahul Gandhi has written to Faesal, against whom government of India h earlier initiated action.

Rahul Gandhi writes:

Dear Faesal,

I write to you in solidarity against Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to initiate an inquiry for expressing your opinion on rising incidents of rapes in India.

Our founders envisioned freedom of expression to be a fundamental right for every citizen. This freedom not only allows a nation to introspect on pressing social problems, but also helps us find ways to dress m. I feel it is extremely troubling that government has singled you out for voicing your opinions. It exhibits an insecurity that is unbecoming of any government.

You deserve to be appreciated for identifying and courageously highlighting issues that plague India. We stand by you in letter and spirit. 

Here is letter:

ACTION INITIATED AGAINST FAESAL:

A week earlier, Shah Faesal, a 2010-batch IAS officer who is only person from Jammu and Kashmir to have topped prestigious civil services examination, h tweeted official letter issued to him:

Here is original tweet by Faesal where he h referred to India as Rapistan:

Department of Personnel and Training's letter, forwarded to Faesal by J&K government's General ministration Department, res as follows:

"WHEREAS, Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India has forwarded to this department a copy of communication, along with its enclosures, in which several references have been me by you in your twitter account, in which contents are prima-face in contravention of extant provisions of All India Service (Conduct Rules), 1968/All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. Screen-shots of posts me by you in your twitter account are enclosed;

AND WHEREAS, Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India has requested State Government to initiate action against you under provisions of All India (Discipline & Appeal) rules, 1969, and to intimate action taken to Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India;

AND WHEREAS, you have allegedly failed to maintain absolute honesty and integrity in discharge of your official duty and thus acted in a manner unbecoming of a public servant';"

OMAR ABDULLAH'S BACKING

JKNC chief Omar Abdullah h also backed Faesal in matter, tweeting:

"Looks like DOPT is determined to chase @shahfaesal out of civil services. last line of this page is shocking & unacceptable where y question Faesal’s “integrity & honesty”. How is a sarcastic tweet dishonest? How does it make him corrupt?"

Faesal has previously served as Managing Director of J&K State Power Development Corporation. He is currently on a study leave as a Fulbright scholar in US. His Twitter handle lists him as a Mason Fellow at Harvard University. 

REPUBLIC'S QUESTIONS TO FAESAL

Republic TV h issued a number of questions to Faesal on Twitter, specifically over wher he would call out U.S, which is his sponsor during his study leave, after it emerged that as per a 2012 report by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, rate of rape in U.S was stated as being 15 times higher than that of India. ditionally, a U.S-based NGO called RAINN confirmed that every 98 seconds a woman was sexually assaulted in U.S.

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Faesal is yet to reply to Republic TV's questions.

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central government h in 2016 banned officials from criticising government on social media. Under se rules, a statement of fact or an opinion which “has effect of an verse criticism” of any current or recent policy or action is treated as criticism. Faesal's tweet h been issued during country-wide outrage over horrific Kathua rape and murder and Unnao rape case