Two IAS Officers Suspended in Kerala for Creating WhatsApp Group

New Delhi : The Kerala state government has taken a significant step by suspending Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer K. Gopalakrishnan for disciplinary violations. This action was taken due to Gopalakrishnan’s creation of a religion-based WhatsApp group, which sparked controversy among government officials.

On Monday, the Kerala government suspended two IAS officers, K. Gopalakrishnan and N. Prasanth, for violation of discipline. Gopalakrishnan was suspended for creating a religion-based WhatsApp group involving government officials, while Prasanth faced action for criticizing senior IAS officer A. Jayathilak on social media.

According to sources, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ordered the suspensions after receiving a report on the matter from the Chief Secretary. It was revealed that Gopalakrishnan had created a WhatsApp group that included various government officials. The group was based on a particular religion, which was unrelated to the official duties and policies of the government. This was considered a violation of the principles of religious neutrality and equality in public service, prompting action against him.

State government officials reacted strongly to the incident, stating that public servants must avoid any form of religious bias in their professional duties. The government viewed Gopalakrishnan’s actions as a breach of discipline, leading to his suspension.

The state government made it clear that issues related to religion-based activities by government officials would not be taken lightly. The action against Gopalakrishnan is not only a disciplinary matter but is also seen as a crucial step in ensuring the adherence to neutrality and fairness in public service.