Eshwarappa Stops Tamil Nadu Anthem At Campaign Meet In Shivamogga, DMK Demands TN BJP's Apology

The incident took place at Tamil Voters' convention under the leadership of former IPS officer and Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai.

BJP's Eshwarappa also said that there was no need to play Tamil Nadu anthem ( Image Source :ABP Nadu )

KS Eshwarappa, BJP leader and former deputy Chief Minister, ran into a controversy after he commanded the organisers to stop Tamil Nadu state anthem and instead play Karnataka state anthem during a public event on Thursday. The incident took place at Tamil Voters' convention under the leadership of former IPS officer and Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai.

According to Deccan Herald, once the convention started on Thursday, the organisers told the dignitaries to raise for the anthem. As a result, everyone including Eshwarappa stood up. However, the organisers played Tamil Nadu anthem. Eshwarappa who was observing this immediately ordered the organisers to stop the anthem and instead play Karnataka anthem.

Eshwarappa also said that there was no need to play Tamil Nadu anthem. He said, even any woman in the group could volunteer to sing Karnataka anthem. However, none turned up so Karnataka state anthem was played. 

During the event, BJP candidate for Shimoga Assembly constituency S N Channabasappa was also present.

Soon after the incident, DMK took a jibe at Annamalai. They said that the former IPS officer stood silent when the national anthem was "disrespected" in Karnataka.

DMK MP Kanimozhi sought an apology from Annamalai. Kanimozhi said, "Annamalai who could not stop his party members from denigrating Tamil Nadu Anthem how can he care about the Tamil people."

தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்தை இழிவுபடுத்தும் தனது கட்சிக்காரர்களைத் தடுக்க முடியாத திரு. அண்ணாமலை அவர்கள், தமிழ் மக்களைப் பற்றி எப்படி கவலைப் படுவார்.#ApologiseAnnamalai

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) April 27, 2023

To the demand, Annamalai said, "It is not the platform of DMK to beat up, sister @KanimozhiDMK. It is customary that only after each state's national anthem is sung, the anthem of another state is played. Eshwarappa, the former deputy chief minister of Karnataka, pointed out the protocol."

அடித்துக் கொண்டு புரள அது திமுக மேடை இல்லை சகோதரி @KanimozhiDMK அவர்களே.

ஒவ்வொரு மாநிலத்தின் மாநில கீதம் பாடிய பிறகுதான் வேறு மாநிலத்தின் வாழ்த்துப்பாடல் இசைக்கப்படும் என்பது நியதி. அந்த நியதியை தான் கர்நாடக மாநில முன்னாள் துணை முதல்வர் திரு ஈஸ்வரப்பா அவர்கள் சுட்டிக்… https://t.co/3UJlqtMrk5 pic.twitter.com/JBqsNoxIW7

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) April 27, 2023