Suresh Gopi lands in controversy for demanding honorary salute from cop

Ollur: Rajya Sabha MP actor Suresh Gopi has landed in a controversy after demanding an honorary salute from Ollur sub-inspector here on Wednesday. The MP called the cop who was kept sitting in the jeep and made the inspector salute him. This incident happened when Suresh Gopi had visited a cyclone-hit tribal village near Puthur in Thrissur.

The police inspector even after seeing the MP kept sitting inside the jeep. Suresh Gopi summoned and reminded the inspector that he is an MP and could be given a salute.

He told Mathrubhumi News that if the Kerala government has ordered not to salute an MP, then the order should go to the Rajya Sabha chairman first and it should be forwarded to the members. He also added that no such order or notice exists in the state. 

He also criticised the term ‘made him salute’ as it intentionally points at his activities. He addressed the police inspector with ‘sir’ and behaved politely.

Talking to the media, Suresh Gopi, who unsuccessfully contested April 6 Assembly polls on a BJP ticket from Thrissur, said he had not ordered the police officer to salute him.

"I spoke to him gently and addressed him as "sir". When I noticed the jeep, I thought it was a forest department vehicle. When I realised it was a police jeep and a police officer got off it, I told him, sir, I am an MP, so I deserve a salute", he told a news channel.

Reacting to it, the Kerala Police Officers Association said a salute can only be given to those who are legally eligible.

Though MPs and MLAs will not come under this category, police officers generally show their respect towards them also, an office bearer of the association said.

(with added inputs from PTI)