Currently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is headed by Jual Oram, an Adivasi leader from Odisha. Gopi's remarks have faced sharp backlash, with tribal leader and activist CK Janu condemning his statements as a racial slur against the Adivasi community
Published Feb 02, 2025 | 3:45 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 02, 2025 | 5:04 PM
Suresh Gopi stirs controversy with remarks on tribal affairs ministry leadership (@TheSureshGopi on X)
Union Minister of State (MoS) and Kerala BJP MP Suresh Gopi sparked controversy after suggesting that the betterment of tribal communities would be guaranteed only if the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was led by members of the privileged caste communities.
Speaking at an election rally in Mayur Vihar Colony in Delhi, the Thrissur MP expressed his ongoing desire to head the Tribal Affairs Ministry, arguing that only the leadership of people belonging to the “upper caste” would foster necessary democratic changes for the progress of tribal populations.
However, on Sunday, following backlash, the actor turned politician withdrew his comments and apologised to tribal communities.
He blamed the media for twisting his words, adding that if his comments had hurt anyone’s feelings, he was retracting them.
He had specifically mentioned that a Brahmin or Naidu should oversee the ministry, claiming he had repeatedly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish a separate Tribal Affairs Department under such leadership.
“Ministry of Tribal Affairs should be handled by upper-caste members for any progress to be made in tribal affairs. Such democratic changes are necessary. Let it be a Brahmin or a Naidu, look after the issues of the tribal communities. I had long desired a separate Tribal Affairs Department and had expressed this wish to the Prime Minister several times,” Gopi stated.
Union Minister @TheSureshGopi‘s recent comments at an election rally in Delhi, advocating for the leadership of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to be held by members of the privileged caste community, have sparked controversy.
Gopi expressed his desire to oversee the ministry,… pic.twitter.com/6uAZRmgFN4
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) February 2, 2025
Currently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is headed by BJP MP Jual Oram, an Adivasi leader from Odisha.
Gopi’s remarks have faced sharp backlash, with tribal leader and activist CK Janu condemning his statements as a racial slur against the Adivasi community.
In an interview with a Malayalam news channel, Janu, who leads the Janadhipathiya Rashtriya Party (JRP), called Gopi’s comments deeply offensive.
Despite her condemnation, the JRP remains part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), highlighting a complex political landscape as tensions over tribal representation continue to simmer within the coalition.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
