After salute row, Suresh Gopi greets police officer with folded hands

Pala: Actor turned MP Suresh Gopi, who landed in a controversy after demanding an honorary salute, received a salute from SI KP Thomson during a BJP programme held here the other day. The MP greeted back with folded hands and had a conversation with the SI.

After meeting the Bishop at the Bishop house last day, Suresh Gopi had addressed the media and said that the custom of saluting should be ended and the officers need not salute anyone. He added that he could not accept the political inequality existing in this custom. India has a certain system and that should be followed.

When the media persons said that it was the Police Association that raised a complaint on the matter, Suresh Gopi said that it was not part of a democratic system and the public need not bear the burden of any association.

Suresh Gopi further asked who said an officer need not salute. The police force is in Kerala and they have to follow the rules in India. The DGP is the authority who gives directions regarding salute. If they still believe that they do not have to salute, they should file a complaint with the Rajya Sabha chairman, he added.