An unprecedented administrative friction has surfaced within the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after eight Assistant Commandants were served show-cause notices for refusing to attend an official working lunch hosted by a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The directive to initiate action originated from the CRPF Force Headquarters in New Delhi, which viewed the refusal as a direct violation of administrative orders. This development has brought the long-simmering discontent between CRPF cadre officers and IPS officers on central deputation back into the spotlight.
Boycott at Madhya Pradesh Training Facility
The incident occurred approximately one month ago during a specialized technical training course organized at a CRPF camp in Madhya Pradesh. As part of the program, a senior IPS officer serving as the Zonal Head of the CRPF hosted an official working lunch for the participating officers. However, eight Assistant Commandants undergoing the training course explicitly declined to attend the event. Notably, one female officer was among the eight commandants who refused the invitation.
When reports of the boycott reached the CRPF Force Headquarters in Delhi, senior officials took strong exception to the conduct of the training participants. The force management interpreted the refusal to attend a senior commander's official gathering as insubordination and failure to comply with established administrative norms. Consequently, show-cause notices were dispatched to all eight officers, requiring them to explain their non-compliance with the senior officer's instructions.
Pending Investigation and Disciplinary Proceedings
According to force sources, the CRPF management is currently awaiting formal written responses from the eight Assistant Commandants. Once their explanations are received, a comprehensive internal inquiry will be conducted to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The final decision on whether to initiate formal disciplinary proceedings will depend entirely on the findings of this investigation. The matter has sparked widespread discussion within the paramilitary force, as disciplinary notices are typically linked to operational lapses or duty absenteeism rather than non-attendance at an official lunch.
Cadre Versus IPS Deputation: Deep-Rooted Grievances
The decision to skip the official lunch stems from prolonged dissatisfaction among CRPF cadre officers regarding career progression. Cadre officers have long expressed frustration that top managerial positions within the force are occupied by IPS officers coming on central deputation, which severely restricts promotional avenues for regular cadre personnel. Some officers allege that despite completing 18 years of continuous service, they have not received a single promotion.
To address these structural career bottlenecks, cadre officers previously sought legal intervention in court. Their efforts culminated in a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court of India in support of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) officers. However, following the judicial verdict, new legislation and regulatory frameworks governing CAPFs were enacted, which cadre officers feel failed to fully resolve their promotion stagnations. As a symbolic gesture of protest against this perceived administrative imbalance, cadre officers began avoiding official lunches and dinners hosted by deputed IPS leaders.
Prior Warnings and Headquarters Directives
This latest incident is not an isolated event within the force. Over recent months, multiple instances have been recorded where CRPF cadre officers either abstained from social and official meals hosted by senior IPS officers or attended under obligation while refusing to consume the food served. These subtle forms of protest had created significant unease within the higher command structure.
Addressing the growing trend of social boycotts, CRPF Headquarters had previously issued a formal order explicitly instructing officers to maintain decorum and participate in official functions. The directive had warned that any officer resorting to boycotting official lunches or dinners would face strict disciplinary action. Despite this explicit instruction, the refusal of eight Assistant Commandants to attend the working lunch in Madhya Pradesh has prompted headquarters to enforce the warning through formal notices.
