Qureshi’s Decision to Decline PMO Posting Highlights Fear of Extra Vetting
Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi told IANS on July 14 that he turned down a joint secretary appointment in the Prime Minister’s Office. At the time, he was joint secretary in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, while also heading the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and the National Service Scheme. He explained that his primary aim was to be recognized for his administrative capabilities, not as a “Muslim officer.”
Qureshi recounted that his responsibilities spanned both the secretariat and extensive field work, including supervision of three lakh youth clubs under NYKS and NSS programmes in 300 universities. He described the blend of duties as “unique” and said he derived great satisfaction from it.
The offer for the PMO role did not come through an official channel. Qureshi learned that his security clearance was already in place and that the appointment order could be issued at any moment, which left him startled.
He expressed a personal conviction that ministries such as the PMO, Home and Defence might subject a Muslim officer to heightened monitoring. He refused to be placed under a “religious quota” and found the notion of being scrutinised on the basis of faith “humiliating.”
In a discussion with the PMO’s additional secretary N.K. Sinha, Qureshi reiterated that he wanted to serve purely on merit. He suggested that any advisory role on waqf matters could be filled by a director‑grade officer or other suitable candidates, rather than appointing another Muslim officer.
Qureshi added that K.R. Venugopal, then secretary to the prime minister, had supported his stance. Venugopal had proposed Qureshi’s name six months earlier, but the presence of an existing Muslim officer in the PMO led the decision makers to retain the incumbent for an additional two years.
These details are also recorded in Qureshi’s newly released book, “India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir,” where he reflects on his career journey and the impact of communal considerations on bureaucratic appointments.