Mangaluru, Oct 2: Sasikanth Senthil, the former Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, has said that he had expected backlash from a certain section of the society for quitting the IAS in protest against undemocratic steps being taken by the union government.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the launch of Gandhi 150 Chintana Yatre at Sri Brahma Baidarkala Garodi Kshetra, Kankanady, here to mark Gandhi Jayanti, Mr Senthil said that he was read to work at the grassroots level and travel across the nation wherever there is a problem.
Senthil said that his resignation was a personal and national thing. “I have explained the reasons for my resignation in the letter. I was not under pressure from the state government. As a DC in three districts, I received good support from all the three parties in power. It is a personal and national thing.”
When asked to describe nationalism, he said, “For me humanism is nationalism. We are a nation which is built on those basic structures. There are indications and threats as always in any society. As long as we stand firm in our foundation, I don’t think this country that is very big, will be disturbed.”
Senthil said for the time being he will continue to work at the grassroots level, and was happy that people with whom he had worked within the district turned up for the event. The first time he appeared on a public platform was in Bengaluru, recently.
Senthil said that life has opened up for him after he submitted his resignation. “I am enjoying talking with people at the grassroots level. I understand their issues which I probably could not understand as the DC. In that way life has become interesting. I am more equipped to do good work as I can express, write, study and be with the public and even influence the government. I have taken the right choice and there is no negativity about my resignation. I have an ethical and moral responsibility to raise my voice to what is happening. If I did this, being part of the government, that would be unethical.”
Senthil stressed that politics was a big no for him, and that he would continue to work on people’s issues. “I am now on the ground, and I am anonymous and nobody. With my understanding of being the DC and seeing the ground level situation will help me in being a better person.”
Terming Dakshina Kannada as one of the best districts, he said that during his tenure as DC, no incidents of communal tension were reported. Meanwhile, it is learnt that his resignation formalities will take some time to get completed from the government side. On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Senthil said it was irrelevant to comment on US president Donald Trump calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the father of India.
“We are very happy now. He was totally into public service for nearly 10 years. Now I feel I have got my friend and husband back,” said Sujatha, Senthil’s wife.
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