The suspension of IAS officers N Prasanth, known popularly as “Collector Bro,” and K Gopalakrishnan by the Kerala government has become a major point of contention, highlighting significant issues around conduct and divisiveness within the state’s administrative service.
Prasanth, who gained popularity during his time as the Kozhikode District Collector due to his active engagement on social media and public welfare initiatives, faced suspension for his recent public criticism of senior IAS officer A Jayathilak on Facebook. In a series of posts, Prasanth accused Jayathilak of unethical behavior, using sarcastic and confrontational language. At one point, he referred to Jayathilak as “a great person who has declared himself the next Chief Secretary” and made a veiled threat to disclose files against him. In another post, Prasanth indirectly called Jayathilak a “weed” that needed to be removed, accompanying his post with an image of a weeding machine. The posts were subsequently deleted, but not before they stirred considerable controversy.
This public spat reportedly intensified after Jayathilak submitted a report alleging misconduct by Prasanth. The conflict escalated when reports emerged that critical documents related to the Unnathi project, a Kerala Empowerment Society initiative for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, had gone missing during Prasanth’s tenure as CEO. Prasanth, however, insisted he had handed over the documents directly to the minister and accused Jayathilak of filing a false report claiming the files were lost.
The Kerala government’s suspension order cited Prasanth’s actions as serious violations of the All India Services Conduct Rules, describing his comments as derogatory and likely to undermine public trust in the state administration. Prasanth’s unusual administrative approach, which had earlier won him praise for initiatives like ‘Compassionate Kozhikode’ and ‘Operation Sulaimani,’ came under scrutiny, with the government asserting that his actions could provoke discord within the Kerala IAS cadre.
Alongside Prasanth, K Gopalakrishnan, Director of Industries and Commerce, was also suspended over a separate controversy involving the creation of a WhatsApp group named “Mallu Hindu Officers,” which included only Hindu IAS officers from Kerala. This act was perceived as contrary to the secular principles of the Indian Administrative Service. Gopalakrishnan initially claimed that his phone had been hacked, and the group was created without his consent. However, an investigation by the Kerala Police’s cybercrime unit found no evidence supporting the hacking claim, leading to suspicions that he had created the group intentionally.
The Kerala government’s suspension order for Gopalakrishnan highlighted the potential divisive impact of such actions, suggesting that his behavior could disrupt the unity within All India Services. The order from Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan emphasized that creating an exclusive group violated the principles of inclusivity expected of public service.
Both Prasanth and Gopalakrishnan are reportedly planning to challenge their suspensions legally, indicating that the matter may become a prolonged legal and public dispute. Their cases have sparked debate on the role of social media, the ethical boundaries for civil servants, and the importance of maintaining secular and inclusive practices in public administration. Prasanth’s situation, in particular, has raised questions about the limits of social media use for public officials, as his once-praised social initiatives are now overshadowed by allegations of misconduct. Similarly, Gopalakrishnan’s case underscores concerns over religious and communal exclusivity within government ranks, challenging the secular ethos mandated for government officers.
This controversy has amplified discussions within Kerala and beyond, touching on broader issues about the conduct expected of high-ranking officials and the balance between individual expression and professional responsibility. As both officers prepare to defend their cases, the unfolding developments may set significant precedents for handling conduct and inclusivity in India’s civil services.
