Kochi, Feb. 3 -- Union minister of state Suresh Gopi's comment on Sunday that "upper caste" members should handle the tribal affairs portfolio and vice versa has triggered widespread criticism, with the ruling front and the Opposition calling him a "piper of the chaturvarna" (caste system), and demanding his removal from the Union ministry. Gopi, however, later backtracked, claiming that his statement was made with good intentions.

Gopi, who represents the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, made the remark at an election rally in New Delhi for an NDA candidate.

"It's a curse of our country that a non-tribal person would never be made in-charge of the tribal affairs ministry. It is my desire and my dream that a member of the 'upp...