Kerala government suspends IAS officers K Gopalakrishnan and N Prasanth for setting up a religion-based WhatsApp group | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Government of Kerala Monday suspended two IAS officers, K Gopalakrishnan And N Prasanthfor alleged violations of conduct. According to official sources, Gopalakrishnan was suspended for creating a religion-based movement WhatsApp groupwhile disciplinary action was taken against Prasanth for allegedly criticizing a senior officer.
The controversy started on October 31, when several IAS officers in the Kerala cadre were unexpectedly added to a new WhatsApp group called “Mallu Hindu officersThe group, reportedly founded by K. Gopalakrishnan, consisted exclusively of Hindu officers, prompting immediate objections. Many officers viewed the group as violating the law. secular values which government officials expected to be enforced, and the group was removed the next day.
In response, Gopalakrishnan claimed that his phone was hacked, resulting in the unauthorized formation of several WhatsApp groups using his contacts. He served one police complaintin which he claimed he was not involved in the creation of the controversial group.
The incident follows another high-profile controversy involving IPS officer MR Ajith Kumar, who was recently transferred from his role as ADGP (law and order). Kumar reportedly met with senior RSS leaders without the approval of Kerala’s ruling LDF government, which was under increasing pressure to act after the CPI, an LDF ally, took a strong stand on the issue. Although the government has not officially confirmed this as the reason for his transfer, the timing raises questions.
“This is the first time that a WhatsApp group has been created among officers on religious lines,” a senior officer told The Times of India on condition of anonymity. Normally, WhatsApp groups among civil servants are based on seniority, departmental or regional ties, he explained, adding that most are inactive or perform practical, administrative functions.
The formation of a group with a religious angle attracted the attention of the state and the Center intelligence serviceswho were alerted by officers added to the group. The evidence provided by these officers reportedly prompted the intelligence services to take the case seriously, and an investigation is now underway.