Former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan officially joined the Congress party this past Monday in New Delhi. He was welcomed by prominent leaders, including Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and party spokesperson Pawan Khera.
Gopinathan gained national attention when he resigned from his post as secretary of the power, urban development, and town and country planning departments in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in 2019. His resignation was a direct protest against the Indian government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, a move that stripped the region of its special status.
Expressing his enthusiasm for Gopinathan’s entry, K.C. Venugopal took to social media, stating, “We warmly welcome Shri Kannan Gopinathan, former IAS officer and fearless voice for democracy, to the Congress family.” Venugopal further emphasized that Gopinathan’s addition would “certainly give a boost to our movement that stands to protect the Constitution, freedom, and inclusive social fabric of India.”
The press conference also saw the presence of Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, highlighting the significance of Gopinathan’s decision.
Explaining his motivation for joining politics and specifically the Congress, Gopinathan reflected on his 2019 resignation. “One thing was clear at that time: the direction in which the Government wants to take the country is not right. It was clear that I had to fight against the wrong,” he shared. He recounted traveling extensively, engaging with people and leaders across 80-90 districts, which solidified his belief that “only the Congress party can take the country in the direction in which it should go.”
He passionately reiterated his concerns regarding the abrogation of Article 370. “Abrogating Article 370 might be a decision of the Government. But if you decide to shut down an entire state, jail all journalists, MPs and former CMs, shut down transportation, communication and internet, then is it right? This is a question not just for me but for all of us. Can this be right in a democratic nation? Should voices not have been raised against this? I raised that question and I stand by it even today,” Gopinathan asserted, highlighting his unwavering commitment to democratic principles.
Originally from Kottayam, Kerala, Gopinathan is an electrical engineering graduate from the Birla Institute of Technology. He began his distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service in 2012.