Kannan Gopinathan, Ex-IAS Officer who resigned over Article 370, joins Congress
New Delhi: Six years after resigning from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in protest against the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan formally joined the Congress on Monday.
The announcement was made by Congress general secretary (organisation) and MP K.C. Venugopal, who described Gopinathan as “one of the brave bureaucrats with a passion for the downtrodden and marginalised, and someone who has always stood for justice and unity.”
A 2012-batch IAS officer from the Mizoram cadre, Gopinathan was instrumental in initiating several development projects in the Northeast, particularly in Aizawl.
Addressing a press conference after joining the party, Gopinathan said, “I consider only those people as traitors who know the country is not moving in the right direction but remain silent for their own benefit, greed, or survival. I did not want to become that kind of traitor.”
Questioning the government’s decision in 2019, he added, “Abrogating Article 370 might be the government’s prerogative. But if you shut down an entire state, jail journalists, MPs and former Chief Ministers, and suspend transportation, communication, and the internet, can that be right in a democracy?”
The Kerala-born bureaucrat, known for his outspoken stance on civil liberties and human rights, said he continues to stand by his 2019 decision. “This is a question not just for me but for all of us. Can this be right in a democratic nation? Shouldn’t voices have been raised against this?” he said.
Before his formal induction, Gopinathan met Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, as well as Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Venugopal, while welcoming Gopinathan, noted that although he resigned in 2019, his resignation has not yet been accepted by the government. “Bureaucrats who fight for justice and the marginalised are being penalised—this trend is visible in states like Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Even the Chief Justice of India is not immune to such attacks,” he said.
Gopinathan first came into national prominence during the 2018 Kerala floods, when he volunteered in relief operations anonymously, refusing to use his official position for recognition.
With Assembly elections in Kerala scheduled for next year, party sources indicated that Gopinathan is likely to play a significant role both in state-level politics and at the national stage
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Govt's reform trajectory will continue with even more vigour in coming times: PM Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the government's reform trajectory will continue with even more vigour in the coming times as it is committed to boosting 'Ease of Living'.
The prime minister made this observation on a series of posts by the central government on its various reform initiatives.
"Ours is a Government committed to boosting 'Ease of Living' and this thread below gives examples of how we have worked in that direction. Our reform trajectory will continue with even more vigour in the coming times," Modi said.
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With the hashtags #ReformInAction & #GoodGovernance, the central government said in the posts that the real test of reform is whether it reduces stress for people and 2025 marked a clear shift in governance, with reforms focused on outcomes, not complexity.
Simpler tax laws, faster dispute resolution, modern labour codes, and decriminalised compliance reduced friction for citizens and businesses alike. The emphasis was on trust, predictability, and long-term growth, showing how well-designed policy can quietly improve everyday life, the posts by MyGovIndia said.
For millions of Indians, tax relief became real. Incomes up to Rs 12 lakh attract zero tax. Middle-class families now retain more of what they earn, giving them flexibility to spend, save and invest with greater confidence, it stated.
It said the Income Tax Act, 2025 streamlined compliance and brought clarity, transparency, and fairness to the direct tax system, making it more taxpayer friendly and aligned with today's needs.
Small businesses can now grow without fear of losing benefits. Higher investment and turnover limits allow MSMEs to expand while retaining access to loans and tax incentives. This encourages scaling up, hiring more workers, and building stronger local enterprises
Rural employment now creates assets, not just wages. With extended guaranteed employment and a focus on village infrastructure, rural labour is now building permanent assets that strengthen communities and livelihoods, it said.
It observed that workers no longer need to navigate dozens of laws as 29 labour laws were simplified into four clear codes covering wages, safety, social security, and relations.
Rights are clearer, compliance is easier, and women benefit from assured maternity and workplace protections, it stated.
The government also stated that GST has been made simpler for businesses and consumers alike.
With streamlined tax slabs, easier registration, automated processes, and faster refunds, the next generation of GST reforms is improving ease of doing business.The impact is clear in record Diwali sales of Rs 6.05 trillion and the strongest Navratri shopping in over a decade, it said.
It also said that businesses can now bring products to market faster.
With rationalised Quality Control Orders, Indian manufacturers face lower compliance costs, improved efficiency, and greater strength in global markets. More room to grow for Indian businesses, the government said in the posts.
The expanded definition of small companies reduced compliance burden and costs, allowing enterprises with turnovers up to Rs 100 crore to focus on innovation and expansion, it added.
