Gopal Italia

Italia was born on 21 July 1989 in Botad in Gujarat, India.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} He completed his primary studies at Timbi village in Umrala Taluka of Bhavnagar district and his secondary studies at Dhola village. He completed his BA in political science from a college affiliated with Gujarat University, Ahmedabad in 2016 and later did LLB at Saurashtra University and passed out in 2020.{{Cite web |title=Gopalbhai Gordhanbhai Italia(AAP):Constituency- KATARGAM(SURAT) - Affidavit Information of Candidate |url=https://myneta.info/Gujarat2022/candidate.php?candidate_id=5095 |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=myneta.info}}

From January 2013, Italia worked as a constable in Madhupura Police Station in Ahmedabad Police till 2016. He then in 2014 as a Revenue Clerk posted at the office of Dhandhuka taluka Sub-Divisional Magistrate under Ahmedabad Collectorate.{{cite web |date=13 December 2020 |title=AAP Picks Youth Leader Gopal Italia As Gujarat Convenor, Says Party "Emerging As Strong Alternative" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gopal-italia-who-threw-shoe-at-gujarat-minister-pradipsinh-jadeja-appointed-aam-aadmi-party-convener-2337837 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924002610/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gopal-italia-who-threw-shoe-at-gujarat-minister-pradipsinh-jadeja-appointed-aam-aadmi-party-convener-2337837 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |accessdate=23 September 2021 |publisher=NDTV}} He campaigns for the rights of unemployed youth as well as the rights of citizens.{{cite web |author= |date=6 March 2017 |title=Clerk who hurled shoes at Gujarat minister loses job |url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/050317/clerk-who-hurled-shoes-at-gujarat-minister-loses-job.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704001116/https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/050317/clerk-who-hurled-shoes-at-gujarat-minister-loses-job.html |archivedate=4 July 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=The Asian Age}}{{cite news |last1=રિપોર્ટર |first1=અસ્મિતા ન્યુઝ |date=23 June 2020 |title=યુવાનોમાં લોકપ્રિય આદોંલનકારી એવા ગોપાલ ઈટાલીયા નો આમ આદમી પાર્ટીમાં જોડાવાનો તખ્તો તૈયાર |url=https://www.asmitanews.com/gopal-italaiya-sake-che-aap-ma/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124083159/https://www.asmitanews.com/gopal-italaiya-sake-che-aap-ma/ |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=9 August 2022 |work=Asmita News |language=English}}

In 2017, Italia served as a government employee.{{cite news |date=5 July 2020 |title=Gopal Italia, who hurled shoe at minister, is AAP Gujarat vice-president |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gopal-italia-who-hurled-shoe-at-minister-is-aap-gujarat-vice-president-6490953/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705090425/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gopal-italia-who-hurled-shoe-at-minister-is-aap-gujarat-vice-president-6490953/ |archive-date=5 July 2020 |access-date=7 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |language=en}} His complaint to the then deputy chief minister Nitin Patel about open violation of the alcohol prohibition policy went viral on social media. He was alleged to have impersonated as a policeman and was charged under Section 120 of the Indian Penal Code in the incident.List of sources

• {{cite web |author=VTV News |date= 19 January 2017|title=Police constable Gopal Patel exclusive talk with VTV News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04YVmj5_ZbY |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902180508/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04YVmj5_ZbY |archivedate=2020-09-02 |accessdate= |publisher=Youtube}}
• {{cite web |author= |date=January 20, 2017 |title=Man held for posing as cop in phone talk with Gujarat Dy CM |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/man-held-for-posing-as-cop-in-phone-talk-with-gujarat-dy-cm-860717-2017-01-20 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702090125/https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/man-held-for-posing-as-cop-in-phone-talk-with-gujarat-dy-cm-860717-2017-01-20 |archivedate=2020-07-02 |accessdate= |publisher=India Today}}
• {{cite news |author=Press Trust of India |date=January 20, 2017 |title=Man held for posing as cop in phone talk with Gujarat Dy CM |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/man-held-for-posing-as-cop-in-phone-talk-with-gujarat-dy-cm-117012001509_1.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702090126/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/man-held-for-posing-as-cop-in-phone-talk-with-gujarat-dy-cm-117012001509_1.html |archivedate=July 2, 2020 |accessdate= |newspaper=Business Standard India |publisher=Business Standard}}
• {{cite web |author= |date=January 20, 2017 |title=Man Who Called Up Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister About Cop Nexus Arrested |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/man-who-called-up-gujarat-deputy-chief-minister-about-cop-nexus-arrested-1651311 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704143105/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/man-who-called-up-gujarat-deputy-chief-minister-about-cop-nexus-arrested-1651311 |archivedate=July 4, 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=NDTV}} In March 2017, he was suspended after allegedly hurling a shoe at Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja.List of sources

• {{cite web |author= |date=2 March 2017 |title=વિધાનસભા પરિસરમાં જાડેજા પર જૂતું |url=https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news/UGUJ-MAT-latest-kadi-news-022003-2115025-NOR.html |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702103937/https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news/UGUJ-MAT-latest-kadi-news-022003-2115025-NOR.html |archivedate=2 July 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=Divya Bhaskar}}
• {{cite web |author= |date=3 March 2017 |title=ગૃહરાજ્યમંત્રી પ્રદીપસિંહ જાડેજા પર વિધાનસભા બહાર ફેંકાયું જૂતું, જુઓ વીડિયો |url=https://gujarati.abplive.com/videos/youth-throw-shoos-on-home-minister-pradip-singh-jadeja-watch-video-134218 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702084112/https://gujarati.abplive.com/videos/youth-throw-shoos-on-home-minister-pradip-singh-jadeja-watch-video-134218 |archivedate=2 July 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=ABP Asmita}}
• {{cite web |author= |date=2 March 2017 |title=Shoes hurled at Gujarat Home minister Pradipsinh Jadeja |url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/shoes-hurled-at-gujarat-home-minister-pradipsinh-jadeja/articleshow/57433309.cms |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703162949/https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/shoes-hurled-at-gujarat-home-minister-pradipsinh-jadeja/articleshow/57433309.cms |archivedate=3 July 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=Ahmedabad Mirror}}
• {{cite web |author= |date=March 2, 2017 |title=Shoe hurled at Gujarat Home Minister Pradeep Jadeja |url=https://www.india.com/news/india/shoe-hurled-at-gujarat-home-minister-pradeep-singh-jadeja-1886195/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701163630/https://www.india.com/news/india/shoe-hurled-at-gujarat-home-minister-pradeep-singh-jadeja-1886195/ |archivedate=July 1, 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=India}}
• {{cite web |author= |date=March 2, 2017 |title=Viral Video: Why Gopal Patel throws shoe on Pradipsinh Jadeja - Vtv Gujarati |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHIWl9k05gw |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831134205/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHIWl9k05gw |archivedate=August 31, 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=YouTube}}
• {{cite web |author= |date=Mar 3, 2017 |title=Shoe thrown at Gujarat home minister on assembly campus Read |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/shoe-thrown-at-gujarat-home-minister-on-assembly-campus/articleshow/57439878.cms |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308001022/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/shoe-thrown-at-gujarat-home-minister-on-assembly-campus/articleshow/57439878.cms |archivedate=March 8, 2017 |accessdate= |publisher=Times Of India}}{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2017 |title=Shoe-thrower suspended from Dhandhuka government job |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/shoe-thrower-suspended-from-dhandhuka-govt-job/articleshow/57471071.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828104650/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/shoe-thrower-suspended-from-dhandhuka-govt-job/articleshow/57471071.cms |archive-date=2020-08-28 |accessdate=2020-07-02 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} Later In 2017, he resigned from his government job.{{cite web |author= |date=June 27, 2020 |title=Gopal Italia continues journey from shoes to bushes |url=https://allgujaratnews.in/en/gopal-italia-continues-journey-from-shoes-to-bushes/ |archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= |publisher=allgujaratnews}} Italia and others also spent 10 days in prison in a case where they did a protest against a BJP leader.{{cite news |date=30 December 2021 |title=Gujarat: 65 AAP leaders held for protesting outside BJP headquarters get bail |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-aap-leaders-protest-bail-bjp-exam-paper-leak-7697846/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807095325/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-aap-leaders-protest-bail-bjp-exam-paper-leak-7697846/ |archive-date=7 August 2022 |access-date=7 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |language=en}}

As member of the Botad Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, he took part in the Patidar reservation agitation. He was with Gujarat and District Patidar Andolan Samiti. He was close to Hardik Patel during the Patidar reservation agitation 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/hardik-patels-supporters-show-faith-in-congress-say-will-not-vote-for-bjps-shallow-agenda20190409183905/ |title=Hardik Patel's supporters show faith in Congress, say will not vote for BJP's shallow agenda |author=ANI |date=9 April 2019 |publisher=ANI news |accessdate= |archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20200703041327/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/politics/hardik-patels-supporters-show-faith-in-congress-say-will-not-vote-for-bjps-shallow-agenda20190409183905/ |archivedate=3 July 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gujaratsamachar.com/news/anand/paas-leaders-gopal-italiya-arrest-in-arms-act-in-anand-gujarat |title=આણંદ: પાટીદાર આંદોલનના નેતા ગોપાલ ઈટાલીયાની ધરપકડ |author= |date=24 January 2019 |publisher=Gujarat Samachar |accessdate= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701162138/https://www.gujaratsamachar.com/news/anand/paas-leaders-gopal-italiya-arrest-in-arms-act-in-anand-gujarat |archivedate=1 July 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|author=|date=November 30, 2018|title=Gujarat: PAAS leaders meet OBC panel chief, seek survey of Patidars|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-paas-leaders-meet-obc-panel-chief-seek-survey-of-patidars-5471658/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702082114/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-paas-leaders-meet-obc-panel-chief-seek-survey-of-patidars-5471658/|archivedate=July 2, 2020|accessdate=|publisher=Indian Express|url-status=live}} He created awareness about the constitutional law.{{cite news |date=4 December 2018 |title=Gujarat: Gopal Italia takes katha route to enlighten people about Constitution law |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-patidar-quota-leader-gopal-italia-constitution-law-5477083/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703161739/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-patidar-quota-leader-gopal-italia-constitution-law-5477083/ |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=7 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-patidar-quota-leader-gopal-italia-constitution-law-5477083/ |title=Gujarat: Gopal Italia takes katha route to enlighten people about Constitution law |author=PARIMAL DABHI |date=December 4, 2018 |publisher=Indian Express |accessdate= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703161739/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-patidar-quota-leader-gopal-italia-constitution-law-5477083/ |archivedate=July 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}

In November 2018, in a live video on Facebook, Italia fired shots into the air with a plastic gun to demonstrate the new contraption made by farmers. In January 2019, Gopal was arrested under the Arms Act for shooting a plastic gun.{{cite news |title=PAAS leader Gopal Italia arrested under Arms Acts |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/paas-leader-gopal-italia-arrested-under-arms-acts-5553654/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=24 January 2019 |language=en |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807095310/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/paas-leader-gopal-italia-arrested-under-arms-acts-5553654/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gujaratsamachar.com/news/anand/paas-leaders-gopal-italiya-arrest-in-arms-act-in-anand-gujarat|title=આણંદ: પાટીદાર આંદોલનના નેતા ગોપાલ ઈટાલીયાની ધરપકડ|last=|first=|date=|website=www.gujaratsamachar.com|publisher=|accessdate=2020-07-02|archive-date=2020-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701162138/https://www.gujaratsamachar.com/news/anand/paas-leaders-gopal-italiya-arrest-in-arms-act-in-anand-gujarat|url-status=live}}

In June 2020, Italia joined Gujarat state unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as the State Vice President.{{cite web |author=AAP Gujarat |date=26 June 2020 |title=Gopal Italiya Joins AAP |url=https://twitter.com/AAPGujarat/status/1276404821407395842 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626065015/https://twitter.com/AAPGujarat/status/1276404821407395842 |archivedate=26 June 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=Twitter}}{{cite web |author= |date=June 27, 2020 |title=Gopal Italia continues journey from shoes to bushes |url=https://allgujaratnews.in/en/gopal-italia-continues-journey-from-shoes-to-bushes/ |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029195240/https://allgujaratnews.in/en/gopal-italia-continues-journey-from-shoes-to-bushes/ |archivedate=October 29, 2020 |accessdate= |publisher=allgujaratnews}} He was appointed the State President on 12 December 2020.{{cite news |date=12 December 2020 |title=Former cop Gopal Italia who hurled shoe at BJP minister appointed AAP's Gujarat president |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/former-cop-gopal-italia-who-hurled-shoe-at-bjp-minister-appointed-aaps-gujarat-president-926599.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807095326/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/former-cop-gopal-italia-who-hurled-shoe-at-bjp-minister-appointed-aaps-gujarat-president-926599.html |archive-date=7 August 2022 |access-date=7 August 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |language=en}}{{cite news |date=23 February 2021 |title=Positive campaigning, hard work fetched results for AAP, says Gopal Italia |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/positive-campaigning-hard-work-fetched-results-for-aap-says-gopal-italia-7201643/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808090949/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/positive-campaigning-hard-work-fetched-results-for-aap-says-gopal-italia-7201643/ |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |language=en}}

After the February 2021 Gujarat local body elections. where AAP won 27 seats in the Surat Municipal Corporation and one in the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, he was re-appointed as the president of AAP Gujarat in 2022. In the 2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election the party received 12.92% vote with 5 seats.2022 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election

He was elected from the Visavadar constituency, defeating his closest rival by over 17,000 votes, in the by-election held in June 2025.{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/gujarat/gujarat-bypolls-aaps-gopal-italia-wins-from-visavadar-3598289 | title=Gujarat Bypolls: Gopal Italia Wins Visavadar for AAP with 17K-Plus Margin }}

BJP protested against Italia over a comment, he allegedly made hurting the Hindu sentiments and faced protests in August 2022.{{cite news |title=Gujarat AAP chief Italia faces protest over 'comment against Hindu religion' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/aap-chief-italia-faces-protest-over-comment-against-hindu-religion-7380316/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=29 June 2021 |language=en |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807095310/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/aap-chief-italia-faces-protest-over-comment-against-hindu-religion-7380316/ |url-status=live }}

In August 2021, Italia visited a temple in Unjha taluka as part of the AAP's outreach programme. He was arrested by the Mehsana police in a case filed in December 2020 against him for holding a public meeting and demonstration in Mehsana without prior police permission. AAP members staged a protest outside the police station and alleged the arrest was due to political vendetta by the BJP state government. In the evening, Italia was released on bail.{{cite news |title=Gujarat AAP chief Gopal Italia arrested in Mehsana over 2020 'chakka jam' case |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-aap-chief-gopal-italia-arrested-in-2020-chakka-jam-case-7442011/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=6 August 2021 |language=en |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807095314/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-aap-chief-gopal-italia-arrested-in-2020-chakka-jam-case-7442011/ |url-status=live }}

In the first half of October, a video of Italia went viral in which he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 'neech' (a lowly person).{{cite news |title=Why is Gujarat AAP chief Gopal Italia under fire for old controversial videos? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/why-is-gujarat-aap-chief-gopal-italia-under-fire-for-old-controversial-videos-101665736567957.html |access-date=15 October 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 October 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=11 October 2022 |title=Gujarat AAP chief Gopal Italia under fire for calling PM Modi 'neech', says BJP attacks him because he is a Patidar |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-aap-chief-gopal-italia-under-fire-pm-modi-neech-bjp-patidar-8200665/ |access-date=13 October 2022}} The National Commission for Women has issued a notice to Gopal Italia and summoned him to appear before commission on October 13 in Delhi. On 13 October, the Delhi Police detained Italia from the office of the National Commission for Women, and taken to the police station where he was questioned for 2.5 hours.{{Cite news |date=13 October 2022 |title=AAP Gujarat chief detained by Delhi Police over 'derogatory' language against PM Modi |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/gopal-italia-detained-gujarat-aap-chief-video-row-8206307/ |access-date=13 October 2022}}

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Italia, Gopal}}

Category:Living people

Category:Aam Aadmi Party politicians from Gujarat

Category:1989 births

Category:Social workers from Gujarat

Category:People from Botad

Category:Gujarat University alumni

Category:Indian police officers

Category:Gujarat MLAs 2022–2027