Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, ignited a controversy on Sunday with his statement that the “upper castes” should manage the Tribal Affairs ministry for true progress in tribal welfare. The actor-turned-politician made these remarks during a BJP election campaign event in New Delhi, suggesting that a leader from the upper castes, such as a Brahmin or a Naidu, should oversee tribal affairs.
Gopi, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, claimed that the current system of appointing members from the tribal community to head the Tribal Affairs ministry was limiting. “It’s a curse of our country that only a person from the tribal community can be made the minister for tribal affairs,” he said. He further stated that appointing someone from outside the tribal community would bring significant change and greater welfare for tribals. He also expressed his desire to oversee the portfolio himself and mentioned that he had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider him for the position.
The minister’s comments sparked immediate backlash, particularly from leaders in Kerala. CPI state secretary Benoy Viswam criticized Gopi, calling him the “piper of the chaturvarna” and demanded his removal from the Union Cabinet. Viswam also called for the resignation of Union Minister of State George Kurian, accusing him of insulting Kerala’s federal principles.
Viswam further expressed concerns about the statements of both ministers, accusing them of undermining the Constitution and tribal rights under the current RSS-led BJP regime. “These two ministers are living examples of the challenges facing the Indian Constitution,” he said, urging the President to address the issue seriously.
Prominent tribal leader C K Janu also condemned Gopi’s remarks as “low-class” and a sign of ignorance regarding tribal issues. Gopi’s statement has since drawn attention to the delicate balance between caste politics and representation in India’s governance.
Currently, the Tribal Affairs portfolio in the Modi-led Cabinet is held by BJP leader Jual Oram, a prominent tribal figure from Odisha. Gopi’s remarks have raised further debates on the politics of caste and the direction of India’s tribal welfare policies.
(With PTI Inputs)