New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram:
The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Sunday disputed, saying that members of the “upper castes” should handle the portfolio of tribal affairs.
Facing backlash on his comments, Mr. Gopi later claimed that his statement was made with good intentions.
Speaking at the BJP election campaign meeting in New Delhi, the politician told the actor that real progress in tribal welfare would be possible only when the leaders of the “upper castes” oversee the ministry.
“It is a curse of our country that only a person from the tribal community can be made a minister for tribal matters,” Mr. Gopi said, who also keeps tourism portfolio.
“It is my dream and hope that someone outside the tribal community should be appointed for their welfare. Let a Brahmin or Naidu take charge-There will be a lot of change. Similarly, the portfolio for further welfare to tribal leaders Should be given.
Expressing his desire to handle the portfolio of tribal affairs, the Trishaur MP said that he had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate the ministry to him. “However, there are some predecessors in portfolio allocation,” he said.
Mr. Gopi’s comments criticized in Kerala.
CPI state secretary Benoy Vishwam, who came out in Mr. Gopi, called him the “Paper of Chaturvarna” (caste system), and demanded the removal of him from the Union Ministry.
He urged Union Minister of State for George Kurien to resign, accusing him of disregarding federal principles and insulting Kerala.
Mr. Kurien said on Saturday that the state should declare itself backward in education, infrastructure and social welfare to get more money from the Center.
“Both these ministers are examples of challenges faced by the Indian Constitution under the RSS-led BJP rule,” Mr. Vishwam said, urging the President- the patron of the Constitution- to take the matter seriously.
He also demanded that the BJP should clarify its stand on the statements of these two ministers, which he called anti -tribal and anti -Kerala.
Prominent tribal leader CK Janu also strongly condemned Gopi’s comments, called him “low-class” and evidence of his lack of understanding.
Currently, a major tribal face of Odisha handles the portfolio of tribal affairs in the cabinet of Juel Oram, the Modi-Nedic Cabinet.
Amid criticisms, Mr. Gopi withdrew his comment, saying: “If my comment is not well received or if this clarification is unsatisfactory, I withdraw my comment.”
He clarified that his intention was to end discrimination.
“I did not consider anyone to be good or bad; My sole purpose was to be free from this structure,” Mr. Gopi said, as a politician, his priority has always been the welfare of the tribal community.
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