Latest news with #Gopi
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Union Ministers Suresh Gopi, George Kurian come under fire from LDF for remaining silent on arrest of Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh
Union Minister Suresh Gopi has drawn flak from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala for allegedly maintaining silence on the arrests of two Keralite nuns on 'questionable charges' of forced conversion and human trafficking in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Chattisgarh on July 25. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (July 30, 2025), Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said Mr. Gopi, while contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Thrissur constituency in 2024, continually toured churches and even offered a golden circlet to Mother Mary as a token of piety and devotion. Mr. Sivankutty said Mr. Gopi's 'speechlessness' on the issue was surprising, given the latter's demonstrative affinity for Christians and their faith. He said Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian also appeared 'least concerned' that the Chhattisgarh police had arrested Sisters Vandana Francis and Preeta Mary of the order of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) on 'fake charges' of forced conversion and human trafficking at the behest of local Bajrang Dal workers. (Mr. Kurian had stated on Monday that his constitutional office constrained him from coming on a case that was still sub judice. BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar later endorsed Mr. Kurian's position.' Mr. Sivankutty said the BJP's political outreach to minorities, chiefly Christians in Kerala, was double-faced and duplicitous. 'The BJP's governments in north Indian States are singularly responsible for allowing extreme Hindu right-wing groups free rein to hound, harass and persecute minorities, primarily Christians. Now, nuns are their target. Soon, the Sangh Parivar will catch priests and Church-run institutions in the cross hairs,' he added. Earlier, the Minister called on the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference in Kerala, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, who is currently the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, at the latter's official residence at Pattom in Thiruvananthapuram. After the meeting, Cardinal Cleemis told reporters that the nuns should get justice. 'The outcome of the case will be the sole yardstick of any future friendship or camaraderie. The sisters are still in prison. All should practise what they preach and show sincerity in friendship. The sisters should get justice,' he added.
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
How a pendant could get Suresh Gopi into jaws of law
Union Minister and veteran actor Suresh Gopi is under legal scrutiny after he was seen wearing a necklace allegedly with a leopard-tooth pendant, a potential violation of the Wildlife Protection Act. The Kerala Forest Department launched a probe into the matter after a Youth Congress leader, AA Muhammad Hashim, lodged a complaint with of a leopard tooth, a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, can attract a jail term of three to seven years along with a who filed the complaint with the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Thrissur in June, which was forwarded to the Pattikkad Range Forest Officer, demanded the confiscation of the alleged pendant and a scientific analysis to verify whether the ornament indeed contained a real leopard tooth. In his complaint, Hashim had stated that he had seen TV visuals of Gopi wearing the ornament at two functions, one in Thrissur and another in KannurThe Pattikkad Range Forest Officer had summoned Hashim to record his complainant, who is also an office-bearer of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), sought the confiscation of the pendent as he recorded his statement with Kerala's forest officials on Monday, July 21, reported The Hindu also urged authorities to verify when the ornament worn by the actor was created, apprehending that the ornament could be "manipulated", according to the bolster the investigation, the complainant provided media footage from TV channels showing Gopi wearing the ornament alleged to be made of leopard tooth and requested access to original videos to verify the authenticity of the DERELICTION OF DUTY: HASIM IN COMPALINT AGAINST SURESH GOPIHashim contended that Gopi's actions were a clear violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In the complaint, the Congress functionary argued that Gopi, the Minister of State Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Union Cabinet, must explain the origin of the alleged leopard tooth necklace, according to a report in a Kozhikode-based news outlet, argued that someone sworn to uphold the law cannot be seen flouting it, calling the act a serious breach of constitutional Pattikkad Range Forest Officer, after issuing a notice to the complainant to appear before him to record his statement, said that any further steps in connection with the complaint would be taken after verifying the complainant's statement and any documents or evidence he gives, reported news agency GOPI LIKELY TO BE SUMMONED: REPORTFollowing the registration of the complainant's statement, The Hindu report added, the Kerala Forest department will issue a notice to Gopi asking him to produce the pendant and appear before the Divisional Forest Officer, Thrissur, for an Lok Sabha MP will be asked to explain the nature and source of the authorities will also examine whether the pendant allegedly worn by the BJP MP is an actual wildlife trophy or a synthetic forest department considers Suresh Gopi's in-person appearance crucial, as only he can provide direct information about the pendant in question, according to the will also have the option of filing a written statement to the questions raised by the enquiry future course of action will be decided after obtaining his statement, a highly-placed Forest Department source told The OF GOPI WEARING ALLEGED LEOPARD PENDENT WENT VIRALThe complaint was filed after the Kerala Forest Department in April arrested Malayalam rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) for allegedly wearing a leopard tooth incident reignited attention to previous controversies involving celebrities and wildlife items — notably, actor Mohanlal's long-standing case involving elephant tusks, and the recent visuals of Gopi wearing a pendant resembling a leopard tooth.A picture of Gopi wearing the alleged pendant resembling a leopard tooth went viral on social media after the Malayalam singer's told the Hyderabad-based news outlet South First that after Gopi was seen wearing the alleged pendant during his visit to a temple in Kannur in June, he later appeared at a public event in Thrissur wearing it again."Visual evidence has already been submitted to the state police chief," Hashim told the WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT SAYS ABOUT ANIMAL TROPHIESThe Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 states that only individuals with a valid certificate of ownership are permitted, after the Act's commencement, to acquire, receive, or possess any captive animal, animal article, trophy, or uncured trophy listed under Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II, unless it is per the Act, possessing a leopard tooth may attract a jail term of between three and seven years and a fine."The minister has not responded to the complaint. We have not received any request from the police or the Forest Department," Gopi's assistant told the South First in a report published on April the minister is yet to respond to the allegations.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Complainant seeks confiscation of suspected leopard tooth jewellery worn by Union Minister Suresh Gopi
The suspected leopard tooth pendant, which Union Minister and actor Suresh Gopi was recently found sporting in a chain, shall be confiscated and a scientific analysis carried out, the complainant in the case has sought. The complainant, A. A. Muhammad Hashim, an office-bearer of the INTUC Young Workers Council, raised the demand while giving his statement to forest officials on Monday (July 21, 2025) . The Pattikkad Range Forest Officer had summoned Mr. Hashim, who had approached the Divisional Forest Officers of Thrissur and Kannur with the complaint, on the day to record his statements. Mr. Hashim also raised the demand for ascertaining the period of the making of the ornament worn by Mr. Gopi, apprehending that the ornament could be 'manipulated.' Media links of the visuals aired by TV channels in which the actor was seen wearing the suspected ornament were handed over to the officials. The complainant also demanded that the original visuals be obtained from the TV channels to check the veracity of the complaint. In his complaint, Mr. Hashim had stated that he had seen TV visuals of Mr. Gopi wearing the ornament at two functions, one in Thrissur and another in Kannur. Prompted by Vedan incident Mr. Hashim said he decided to take up the case following social media discussions that ensued after the arrest of popular rapper Vedan (Hirandas Murali) for wearing a suspected leopard-tooth-studded pendant. The Forest department acted against the singer after being alerted by police, which arrested him for possessing ganja. The investigation in the case was progressing, according to forest officials. Possession of a wildlife trophy, which includes cured and uncured animal parts, is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Those found guilty can get a jail term of up to seven years and a fine or both.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Controversies should not dilute JSK's message, says Gopi
1 2 Thrissur: Actor-politician and Union minister of state Suresh Gopi on Thursday appealed that controversies should not dilute the powerful message of women's security encapsulated in his film 'Janaki V v/s State of Kerala'. According to him, the movie contains some pointers that can be included in the national-level policy for women empowerment. Gopi, who plays the lead role in the film, made the observations while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the screening of the controversial film at Ragam cinema hall in Thrissur. He said it was sad that the film had to go through a legal battle and sparked controversy, though it was actually raising a serious issue. "Everything has subsided and I'm sure people will accept the film wholeheartedly," said Gopi. The movie's director and scriptwriter Pravin Narayanan , who was present at the screening, said he felt proud and relieved that the film has been finally released and people are accepting it. He said he was sure that the controversies or the change of name following the censor board interference would not affect the film's acceptance. A host of other crew members including actors Divya Pillai and Jayan Cherthala were also present. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo The censor board cleared the film after its name was changed from Janaki v/s State of Kerala to Janaki V v/s the State of Kerala, including in the title card. Similar changes were also made within the film before it was released. Thrissur: Actor-politician and Union minister of state Suresh Gopi on Thursday appealed that controversies should not dilute the powerful message of women's security encapsulated in his film 'Janaki V v/s State of Kerala'. According to him, the movie contains some pointers that can be included in the national-level policy for women empowerment. Gopi, who plays the lead role in the film, made the observations while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the screening of the controversial film at Ragam cinema hall in Thrissur. He said it was sad that the film had to go through a legal battle and sparked controversy, though it was actually raising a serious issue. "Everything has subsided and I'm sure people will accept the film wholeheartedly," said Gopi. The movie's director and scriptwriter Pravin Narayanan, who was present at the screening, said he felt proud and relieved that the film has been finally released and people are accepting it. He said he was sure that the controversies or the change of name following the censor board interference would not affect the film's acceptance. A host of other crew members including actors Divya Pillai and Jayan Cherthala were also present. The censor board cleared the film after its name was changed from Janaki v/s State of Kerala to Janaki V v/s the State of Kerala, including in the title card. Similar changes were also made within the film before it was released.
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Meeting CD Gopinath: India's oldest living Test cricketer and a hero of our first Test win
But why did a cricketer reckoned by Worrell and other experts to be hugely gifted, the "best exponent of the square cut in the country" and whose hook shot was crowned the Shot of the month in an English daily, not score more runs or have a longer stint in Tests? Discrimination played its part as revealed in a story told with little rancour, but with an abiding hurt that slips through. It happened when Gopinath was in England. The tour had begun on a disastrous note with India reduced for 0-4 in the first Test at Leeds. Seeing 000-4 on the scoreboard piqued the interest of the photographer in Gopi and in broad daylight, before the rest of the team, he snapped the "unique sight". Then came the incident that made matters worse and which he recounted. Vijay Hazare was the captain and ordered Gopi, who did not understand the language, to move in Hindi. Gopinath remembers, "I was the only one in the 16-member squad who did not know Hindi. They all spoke Hindi. I rarely knew what they were speaking about during the tour. In the match, the captain asked me in Hindi to shift my position to a certain spot. He knew I couldn't understand. I managed only by asking one of my teammates and getting to know what was needed. "But when we were back into the dressing room, Hazare was very angry at me. He told me to come and see him at the hotel. Once there, he asked me why I hadn't followed his instructions. I explained the difficulty I had and wondered why he couldn't have told me in English. His reply was that if he told me in English the batsman would know. I found his reasoning silly. "Remember I was just 22 then. A little worked up, I told the captain 'I thought we were playing cricket. What is wrong in the batsman knowing where the fielder is. He has the right, does he not?'. Hazare got back by telling me "This is not 'Madhraas cricket'. I told him I didn't know it as Madras cricket or Indian cricket. I only knew it as cricket and stomped out of his room. Naturally, the captain didn't like me from then on." This meant that for the duration of the England series, Gopi was forced to bat at No 8, and in one instance at No 9, despite being a specialist batsman. The only exception was when India encountered a wet wicket or sticky wicket as these were called. A razor-sharp and compelling raconteur, Gopinath shares what followed when that happened. "An exception was this match where it had rained and the wicket was wet. You must remember that those days the wickets were left uncovered and we also did not have helmets or the level of protective equipment that players now have. So, the captain told me to pad up to go in at No 4. He meant to offer me as one of the sacrificial wickets. But I was excited since I could at least bat up the order now. It was however not to be. By the time my turn came, the sun had come out and the wicket was drying up. I was told to wait. Those days Bombay dominated. He sent in a Bombay player. When that player got out and No 5's turn came, I was again held back. Nos 6 and 7 also went in and returned. I only got to bat at No 8 again. "I was almost in tears. I was terribly upset. I went to Hazare after that and said, 'Skipper, I am sorry, but I won't take this from you again. Don't do what you did to me today. Don't do this ever again'. The spat didn't do me any good. It was unfortunate," Gopinath recalls. He talks of how he and the great Hyderabad off-spinner Ghulam Ahmed, a fellow 'Madhraasi' in the days when the idea of India had not quite sunk in and when provincial mentality still ruled, "cried on each other's shoulders" for the almost six months the tour lasted. The experience scarred both players. It left Gopinath "pretty frustrated and pessimistic about his immediate cricket prospects" as he has recalled in Beyond Cricket: A life in many Worlds. He applied and took up a position in the Chennai-based Gordon Woodroffe at his father's suggestion and would later rise to be the first Indian Chairman of the 100-year-old British company. But cricket wasn't about to leave him alone this early. He was "unexpectedly" named in the squad to the West Indies. Gopinath was delighted at the prospect of going there. But a call from Ghulam Ahmed asking if "You are going? Are you sure?", while saying he himself had decided not to after what happened in England and what was likely to happen in the West Indies, led to Gopi also dropping out. A wet patch in Pakistan and the 'patriotic umpires' there India's first tour of Pakistan though was an entirely different proposition. Vinoo Mankad had taken over as the captain and that was a relief. Ghulam Ahmed was also selected and would be Gopi's roommate. This meant that Ghulam's relatives in Pakistan were always around to shower them with hospitality except on one occasion when, with no houses for the players to be put up in, they had to stay in the train compartment for a few days! Gopi had a good overall tour ending up with an average of 58 in the first-class matches. But he got to bat in only three innings in the Test series. The one where he made his highest Test score of the tour, a 41, had a memorable story that would be passed down generations. A patch of the ground, a little ahead of the crease, was alone wet while the rest of the wicket and the ground was dry. "When we protested, we were told that it was because of the rain. 'How could it have rained only here,' we wondered. The umpires (both Pakistanis of course, since it was a home series) were to be the final adjudicators. They agreed to delay the start by 15 minutes to help the very wet patch dry! I was left to counter the wet area by stepping out and standing on it," Gopinath remembers. He talks of how the team was happy to have drawn the series against the Pakistan team, which had the original 'Little Master' Hanif Mohammad and bowling great Fazal Mahmood, among others, in its ranks. "The Pakistan umpires were patriotic. So, we were happy to return with the honours even," he recounts. Friend named Sir Frank Worrell, and Sachin and Dhoni memories Cricket gifted Gopinath many friendships. He remembers his comradeship with English great Denis Compton and with Ray Lindwall, the brief meeting with whom at Kolkata led to Gopi landing the Australian great's cap as a souvenir. But his abiding trans-sea friendship was with Sir Frank Worrell, the West Indies captain in the first-ever tied Test, as recalled earlier. Gopinath fondly recounted a hand-rickshaw ride the two of them took around Colombo after 10 in the night and how he attended Worrell's benefit match hosted by his club, Lancashire. "I insisted I will be the one collecting money from those in the stadium and I did." He also remembered his last meeting with "Frank" when he came down to Madras and joined Gopi and his family for dinner. "It was not a party. Just him and my family. He told me then that he had not been feeling his usual self during the last few days. As he left, I insisted that he must get a check-up done. A few days later came the news from the West Indies that Frank was no more. Apparently he had leukemia. His death shattered me." After his playing career, Gopinath went on to become a selector and played a significant part in unearthing the great Gundappa Viswanath, who holds the unique record of having ensured that India never lost a Test when he made a ton. "He was as good as Gavaskar (incidentally Vishy's brother-in-law). He had a lot of time to play his shots and that is always a true sign of class. And what a lovely human being to boot." His all-time great, though, is not anyone from his eras as either player or selector or Indian manager, which he later became. It is Sachin Tendulkar, "the man who had the right shot for every ball." Another favourite is MS Dhoni. "I remember saying at a felicitation function that the Chennai Super Kings is my favourite team and pointing to Dhoni who was in the front row as the reason." Gopinath says he told people there that this was because "Dhoni is never demonstrative; never puts down any player, even if they are from the opposition. It is simply because he is Captain and Player Cool" that he adored him. That quality sums up Gopinath too at 95 and underlines why, as his son-in-law the renowned Supreme Court lawyer Aryama Sundaram observes, he was a legend all those years ago and continues to remain a legend. A truly well-played century beckons...
