Don’t wear a “tilak” to work !
aka The joys of living in ”Secular India”.
Some of you must have already read the “news” from yesterday about the government officer in Bihar who faces suspension for coming to work with a “tilak” on his forehead.
According to one report, Special Secretary (Agriculure), Shri CK Anil “asked deputy director Lakshman Mishra not to wear ’tilak’ on his forehead during office hours and threatened to suspend him.”
Other reports are here and here.
Now, by most accounts, Shri Anil appears to be a fine officer… who has a reputation for firmness and no-nonsense behaviour . A report from The Tribune mentions how he has taken on powerful leaders before:
“The news of the abrupt transfers of the Collectors of Siwan and Gopalganj in Bihar, even when the conference was examining the problem, came as a bolt from the blue. Mr C.K. Anil (Siwan) and Mr K.K. Pathak (Gopalganj) are known for their high integrity and character. As they were taking on powerful leaders like Syed Shahabuddin and Sadhu Yadav, Governor Buta Singh clipped their wings, apparently under pressure from Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.”
This time however he chose a mid-ranking government employee - it is not exactly clear why.
