Team Herald
Panjim: Former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, an anti Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) crusader, spoke relentlessly against the Citizenship law, the planned National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) – that will be conducted alongside the Census, in his first ever address to Goans on Tuesday.
Gopinathan, who grabbed national attention last August when he resigned from the premier civil service of India to protest repealing of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir, is on a campaigning spree against the CAA. In the last few days, he has been detained twice while heading for protest against the controversial law in Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing the Goan crowd amidst tight police security in the capital city, Gopinathan appealed the people to protest, if they believe CAA is an unjust law.
“If it an unjust law it becomes our duty to oppose it. I will not create panic but you have to protest because it is unjust and because you will be in danger. These legislations are against the Constitution and also against the fundamental ethos. But if you feel it is only against me, then you don’t protest. I won’t care,” he said while delivering his hour-long speech on the topic ‘Dangers of arbitrary and discretionary powers inherent in CAA-NPR-NRC.’
The talk, hosted by Goa Alliance Against CAA-NRC-NPR, also had in attendance other local activists.
The ex-IAS officer also lashed out at the government for taking into custody people who are voicing their opinion against the law. “Are we are living in democracy? I cannot have a speech. You are in a cage and the moment you spread your wings you realize you are caged. The police inspector decides freedom of speech,” he said as some police personnel in khaki and plain clothes were present at the venue to ensure no provocative speeches are delivered.
“If you (government) don’t allow a person to speak about what we feel about incorrect legislation, then where is the democracy? Are we going with guns and fighting? No!” he said.
He also spoke about the Narendra Modi-led central government’s failure to create jobs leading to frustration among the youth, and introduction of taxes and other non people-friendly initiatives.
