IAS Officer Touching CM’s Feet Sparks Controversy in Telangana

A major controversy erupted in Telangana after senior IAS officer A. Sharath, Principal Secretary for Tribal Welfare, was seen allegedly attempting to touch the feet of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during a public event in Macharam village, Nagar Kurnool district.
The incident took place on Monday during the launch of the Indira Saur Giri Jal Vikasa Scheme, a key tribal water development initiative. A video of the act went viral on social media, sparking outrage and political backlash. Opposition parties accused the Chief Minister of encouraging sycophancy, while netizens and political leaders criticized the incident as a violation of bureaucratic dignity and ethics.
Responding to the backlash, Telangana Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao issued a stern warning to all All India Services (AIS) officers and state employees. Citing Rule 3(1) of the AIS Conduct Rules, 1968, the CS reminded officials to maintain professional decorum and integrity, especially during public appearances. He stressed that such actions erode public trust and warned that disciplinary action would follow any further violations.
The incident has reignited debate on bureaucratic neutrality and administrative ethics in the state, especially under the spotlight of the new government. As members of the AIS, IAS officers are expected to uphold political impartiality and service values, which critics argue were undermined in this case.