Former IAS Officer Kannan Gopinathan Joins Congress, Citing Party’s Commitment to Justice

Former IAS Officer Kannan Gopinathan Joins Congress, Citing Party’s Commitment to Justic

In a significant political development, former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan has officially joined the Indian National Congress. Gopinathan, who resigned from the civil services in 2019 over concerns regarding the violation of fundamental rights in Jammu and Kashmir, cited the Congress as the only political force capable of steering the country in the right direction.

The induction ceremony saw the presence of senior Congress leaders, including General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, AICC media head Pawan Khera, and prominent political figures Kanhaiya Kumar, Jignesh Mewani, and IAS officer-turned-politician Sasikanth Senthil.

K.C. Venugopal praised Gopinathan as “one of the brave bureaucrats who has a passion for the downtrodden and marginalised people of the country and who has always fought for justice and unity.” He added, “Gopinathan ji has served across India, from Kerala to the Northeast, and his principled stand and dedication to democracy make him a perfect fit for our party.”

Gopinathan has been a vocal critic of the government, particularly for policies that he believes undermine democratic principles. His resignation in 2019 was a response to perceived injustices against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Speaking at the event, Gopinathan said, “I resigned because I knew the direction in which the government was taking the country was wrong. I have travelled across 80-90 districts, met with people, and engaged with leaders to understand the challenges facing our nation. I realised that only the Congress party has the commitment and ideology to correct this course.”

Venugopal emphasized that Gopinathan’s entry is a statement in support of justice and democracy, pointing out that bureaucrats fighting for the marginalized often face penalties from the government. “This is evident across various states, including Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, and even extends to the judiciary,” he said.

Gopinathan’s induction marks a boost for Congress ahead of upcoming elections, signaling the party’s commitment to attracting leaders who prioritize democratic values and social justice.