Thiruvananthapuram: Union minister of state for tourism Suresh Gopi has alleged that the recent raids conducted at the residences of several Malayalam film actors could be an attempt to divert public attention from the ongoing Sabarimala gold missing controversy.
‘Actors being targeted to deflect public focus,’ says Gopi
Speaking to reporters in Palakkad on Friday, Gopi said that “two film actors are put before the public for judgment to play down the Sabarimala gold issue.”
He added that there appeared to be a pattern in which, whenever an issue arises that “puts the government in the dock,” attention is diverted through actions targeting prominent public figures.
“Whenever an incident that puts the government in the dock arises, there is a trend of tarnishing shining personalities through police action. More such stories will come,” the actor-turned-politician stated.
Gopi, who is also the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) maiden and lone Lok Sabha MP from Kerala, implied that the raids were politically motivated and intended to shift the narrative away from questions surrounding the Sabarimala gold disappearance case.
Customs and ED raids on actors’ homes
Earlier this week, the Customs Department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the residences of actors Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amit Chakalakkal in connection with an investigation into alleged illegal import of luxury cars by evading customs duty.
The agencies suspect that the high-end vehicles were brought into India under invalid schemes or through fraudulent means, causing revenue loss to the exchequer. Sources said that the raids were part of a larger probe into luxury car imports involving multiple individuals across Kerala.
None of the actors have been officially charged, and statements from their representatives indicate full cooperation with the authorities.
Sabarimala gold missing row
The Sabarimala gold missing issue refers to a controversy involving the disappearance of a portion of gold collected as offerings at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The alleged misappropriation has sparked public outrage, with demands for accountability from the state government and temple authorities.
Opposition parties and several public figures have accused the government of mishandling the probe and attempting to suppress the matter.
Gopi’s remarks suggest that the BJP plans to keep the issue in the political spotlight, particularly as the controversy continues to draw public scrutiny.
Conclusion
The Union minister’s comments add a political dimension to the ongoing investigation into luxury car imports. While enforcement agencies continue their probe, Gopi’s allegation of diversion tactics has intensified debate over whether celebrity-targeted raids are being used to deflect public attention from sensitive state issues like the Sabarimala gold row.
As the investigations unfold, both the film industry and political circles in Kerala await further clarity on the outcome of these high-profile cases.