the goan I network
PANAJI
Strong police presence both in uniform and civil clothes marked ex-IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan’s first public address in Goa against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR).
Gopinathan, who has been very vocal and fiercely critical of the Modi-led government was invited to speak to a public audience in Goa on Tuesday by the Goa Alliance Against CAA (GAACAA). Gopinathan’s interaction was held at Caritas Holiday Homes, St Inez. But the hundred-odd audience who came to hear him was greeted with police personnel in the courtyard, and what’s more, a security check at the reception - unusual at Caritas, but unsurprising in light of Gopinathan’s strong anti-establishment stance.
In the course of his interaction, Gopinathan also expressed strong displeasure against the Goa government for obstructing public protests against the CAA.
“I would have liked to have addressed you all even at the beach,” Gopinathan said.
One of the organisers later told “The Goan” that since the Mapusa protest meet to be held at a municipality-owned venue was cancelled at the last minute by the CO and Deputy Collector (not on valid grounds but meekly succumbing to the threats of some group), the organisers were apprehensive and hence had to chose a privately-owned indoor venue “that we thought would not succumb to State or group pressure,” the organiser said, adding that they would have loved to have had it in an open air environment, but did not want to take the risk.
Meanwhile, police in civil clothes were patrolling the hall throughout the duration of Gopinathan’s talk and subsequent interaction, which lasted for over two hours.
The organisers told “The Goan” they were “overwhelmed” with the presence of the police at the venue and we were grateful to them although they had not requested for any police protection!
A bold Gopinathan, now experienced in the art of public speaking ever since he quit his posting in protest against the Kashmir lockdown, hit out at the “dumb” government for bringing in a law as “hateful” as the CAA. He stressed that he had quit the IAS, in small part because of the government’s decision to abrogate Section 370 in Kashmir, but largely on account of Indians not raising their voices in dissent.
The police in BJP-ruled states has not been kind to Gopinathan, having detained him twice in this month itself in Uttar Pradesh (UP) when he sought to join anti-CAA protest rallies there.
