Young IAS Officer Quits Protesting ‘Clampdown’ On Fundamental Rights In J&K

Photo courtesy: The Scroll

New Delhi: Kannan Gopinathan, a 33-year-old IAS officer, has quit his job as he was reportedly upset over the curtailment of fundamental rights in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370.

NDTV reported that the officer, who was hailed a hero last year in flood-affected districts of Kerala, was unhappy over restrictions imposed on the locals in the valley.

“In Kashmir, fundamental rights of lakhs of people have been suspended for 20 days. And many in India seem to be okay with it. This is happening in India in 2019. Article 370 or its abrogation is not the issue, but denying citizens their right to respond to it, is the main issue. They could welcome the move or protest it, that’s their right,” the 2012-batch IAS officer told NDTV.

Times Now reported that he sent his resignation letter to the Union Home Secretary on Wednesday, but did not cite any reason for his quitting.

Gopinathan, who was serving as a secretary of key departments in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, had garnered spotlight last year when he was spotted volunteering at a relief camp in Chengannur during the Kerala 2018 floods. He was hailed as a hero by the locals for his humanitarian act.

Media reports said he was also instrumental in turning around the loss-making electricity department in the Union Territory.