Don’t see me as a `Sanghi', I'm a former SFI activist, says Suresh Gopi

Actor-turned-politician and BJP leader Suresh Gopi on Tuesday asserted that he is a former activist of the Students Federation of India (SFI), student organisation of the left wing, and he should not be seen as a sanghi. He made the remark at a press conference following the 'Sahakari Samrakshana Yatra' organised in protest against the Rs 150 crore Karuvannur Cooperative bank scam.

“I am a former SFI activist. Vijayan sir (Pinarayi Vijayan), (late) comrades Kodiyeri (Balakrishnan) and EK Nayanar know that. I’m not sure if (MV) Govindan sir knows it. EK Nayanar was my comrade. Don’t merely see me as a sanghi,” Suresh Gopi said. 

Speaking at the conference, the actor also commented on taking over as the president of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata. “There are no hindrances in taking over (the post). There will be a meeting every three months. I will have to prepare an agenda for it every two days. It's a job with no salary. And, I can go ahead with my (political) activities independently.” 

Suresh Gopi further added that he was only the caretaker of the institution and its administration did not fall under his responsibility. The news of his nomination as the chairman of SRFTI’s governing council was announced by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on X (previously Twitter) in September.