Union Minister Suresh Gopi backtracks on 'upper castes' remarks
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 2 (PTI): Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Sunday courted a controversy by stating that the members of the "upper castes" should handle the tribal affairs portfolio, which he backtracked later.
Speaking at a BJP election campaign meeting in New Delhi, the actor-turned-politician said that real progress in tribal welfare would only be possible if leaders from "upper castes" oversaw the ministry.
Facing backlash over his remarks, Gopi later backtracked, claiming that his statement was made with good intentions.
"If my comment is not well received or if this explanation is unsatisfactory, I withdraw my remarks," he said.
He clarified that his intention was to end discrimination.
"I did not label anyone as good or bad; my only aim was to break free from this framework," Gopi said, adding that as a politician, his priority has always been the welfare of the tribal community.
Earlier in the day, Gopi, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, said: "It's a curse of our country that only a person from the tribal community can be made the minister for tribal affairs."
"It is my dream and expectation that someone from outside the tribal community should be appointed for their welfare. Let a Brahmin or a Naidu take charge, there would be significant change. Likewise, tribal leaders should be given the portfolio for the welfare of forward communities."
"Such a shift should happen within our democratic system," Gopi further stated.
Expressing his desire to handle the tribal affairs portfolio, the Thrissur MP said he had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate the ministry to him. "However, there are certain precedents in portfolio allocations," he added.
Gopi's remarks triggered widespread criticism across Kerala.
CPI state secretary Benoy Viswam lashed out at Gopi, calling him a "piper of the chaturvarna" (caste system), and demanded his removal from the Union ministry.
He also urged the resignation of Union Minister of State George Kurian, accusing him of disregarding federal principles and insulting Kerala.
Kurian on Saturday said that the state should declare itself backward in education, infrastructure, and social welfare to receive more funds from the Centre.
"These two ministers are living examples of the challenges facing the Indian Constitution under the RSS-led BJP regime," Viswam said, urging the President, the custodian of the Constitution, to take the matter seriously.
He also demanded that the BJP should clarify its stance on these two ministers' statements, which he termed anti-tribal and anti-Kerala.
Prominent tribal leader C K Janu also strongly condemned Gopi's remarks, calling them "low-class" and evidence of his lack of understanding.
Currently, BJP leader Jual Oram, a prominent tribal face from Odisha, handles the Tribal Affairs portfolio in the Modi-led cabinet.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
