New Delhi: Former IAS officer and civil rights activist Kannan Gopinathan, known for resigning from the Indian Administrative Service in protest over the abrogation of Article 370 and the communication blackout in Jammu and Kashmir, has officially joined the Indian National Congress. The move comes just months before the Kerala Assembly elections, signaling a strategic addition to the Congress’s lineup in the southern state.
Gopinathan, who hails from Kottayam, Kerala, accepted Congress membership at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of party leaders K.C. Venugopal and Kanhaiya Kumar. His entry was preceded by closed-door meetings with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
“This is a party of citizens. However, what is happening now is a journey from citizens to subjects. The goal is a journey back to citizens,” Gopinathan said during the press briefing.
A Bureaucrat Who Resigned on Principle
Kannan Gopinathan made headlines in 2019 when he resigned from the IAS in protest against the central government’s handling of Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370 was revoked. He cited suppression of fundamental rights and lack of democratic freedoms in the Valley as his primary concerns.
“Through the Indian National Congress, I find the space to do both—serve the people and raise my voice against injustice,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Gopinathan is a 2012 batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre. Prior to resigning, he served as Secretary of the Power Department in the Union Territories of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. His administrative work earned him praise for efficiency, innovation, and public engagement.
A Distinguished Career Rooted in Service
Born on December 12, 1985, in Kottayam, Kerala, to government employee parents, Kannan Gopinathan had a stellar academic and professional journey. An Electrical and Electronics engineer from BIT Mesra, Ranchi, he began his career in the private sector as a VLSI design engineer before transitioning to public service.
During his IAS tenure:
- He improved disaster response systems in Aizawl.
- Revived the Chite Lui river.
- Launched anti-drug campaigns like Project Himna – MADAT.
- Promoted education in local languages in Mizoram.
- Worked incognito in relief camps during the 2018 Kerala floods.
As a civil servant, he was widely regarded for his pro-people initiatives, and for prioritizing transparency, technology, and grassroots engagement.
From Civil Servant to Civil Rights Activist
Post-resignation, Gopinathan became one of the most outspoken voices against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed NRC. He was:
- Detained multiple times during protests in Mumbai, Agra, and Prayagraj.
- Vocal about threats to democracy, civil liberties, and majoritarianism.
Booked under the Disaster Management Act during COVID-19 for refusing to rejoin IAS, though he offered to volunteer instead.
Congress Welcomes His Entry
Speaking at the induction event, K.C. Venugopal, AICC General Secretary (Organisation), said:
“He has served as a principled administrator, an active citizen, and a committed democrat. His joining will boost our movement to protect the Constitution, freedom, and inclusive values.”
His wife, Himani Pathak, a software engineer, has stood by him throughout his civil rights journey. The couple met during their volunteer work in Noida.
The Congress party is yet to announce Gopinathan’s specific role, but sources suggest he may play an active part in Kerala’s upcoming polls and also contribute to national-level discourse on democracy and governance.
Read also: EPFO Portal Downtime Sparks Criticism from Former IAS Officer Kannan Gopinathan
