The ruling front and the Opposition in the State have sought to provoke a political and social uproar over Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi’s comment that “high-born” individuals could lead the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs rather than a member of the community, as has been the norm.
Mr. Gopi, who represents the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, seemingly stirred the pot by remarking at a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) election rally in New Delhi that the customary political approach was a systemic anomaly requiring rectification. He said a “Brahmin or Naidu” could also lead the department laudably. Similarly, Mr. Gopi said that a person from the tribal community could head programmes for the welfare of “upper castes”.
‘Wish to head dept.’
His audience were mainly Keralites in New Delhi. He also revealed that as a Rajya Sabha member in 2016, he had conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi his profound desire to head the Union Tribal Affairs department.
Mr. Gopi appeared to hastily retract his contentious remark when it went viral on social and conventional media, sparking a touchy political controversy. He quickly accused the media of cherry-picking portions of his speech to wilfully distort his words. “If anyone has objections, I withdraw my statement,” he told reporters in New Delhi.
CPI protest today
Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary Binoy Viswam announced Statewide protests on Monday. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Viswam dismissed Mr. Gopi’s attempt to retract the ‘casteist slur’ aimed at marginalised communities. He stated Mr. Gopi has become the town crier for the Sangh Parivar’s effort to reinstate the revanchist and sickening Varna system.
K. Radhakrishnan, MP and CPI(M) leader who formerly served as the Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, said Mr. Gopi’s words echoed the Sangh Parivar’s aim to re-establish caste as the essential selfhood of an Indian citizen and a yardstick for their respective political roles and social status in society. “In a sense, Mr. Gopi has questioned the suitability of Draupadi Murmu, a member of a marginalised community, for high office,” he said.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said political propriety demanded that Mr Gopi step down as Minister. “Mr. Gopi has sought to divide and ostracise citizens on the regressive basis of caste. He should have no say in governance,” he told The Hindu.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including tribal leader C.K. Janu, declined to comment. Nevertheless, a BJP leader opined privately that Mr. Gopi’s trail of political gaffes, including on sensitive subjects such as caste, did not augur well for the NDA’s push to woo backwards and Dalit communities in Kerala.
Published – February 02, 2025 08:35 pm IST