Days after Tamil Nadu MP A Raja's controversial remarks at a public gathering celebrating CM Stalin's birthday, BJP leaders have sharply criticized the DMK leader for what they perceive as provocative statements. Raja's comments, Tamil Nadu will never accept Bharat Mata and Jai Shri Ram, have ignited a political storm. According to BJP's Amit Malviya, Raja's speech allegedly hinted at the balkanisation of India, while also reportedly mocking Lord Ram, making derogatory remarks about Manipuris and challenging the concept of India as a unified nation.
According to a post on X by BJP National Information and Technology Department In-Charge Amit Malviya, A Raja said, "India is not a nation. Understand this well. India is never a nation. One nation means one language, one tradition and one culture. Then only it is one nation. India is not a nation but a subcontinent. What’s the reason? Here, Tamil is one nation and one country. Malayalam is one language, one nation and one country. Oriya is a nation, a language and a country. All these nations make up India. So, India is not country it is a subcontinent."
"There are so many traditions and cultures. If you come to Tamil Nadu, there’s a culture. In Kerala, there’s another culture. In Delhi, there’s another culture. In Oriya, there’s another culture. Why in Manipur, as RS Bharathi said, they eat dog meat. Yes, it is true, they eat. That’s a culture. There’s nothing wrong. It’s all in our mind,” he said.
In his address, the DMK leader expressed strong reservations against the BJP's ideological stance. "If you says it's this God, this is Jai Sri Ram, this is Bharat mata ki jai, then we and Tamil Nadu will never accept Bharat Matha and Jai Shriram...I don't believe in Ramayanam but as per story this is Kamba Ramayanam. 4 brothers accepted Kuravar, Vetuvar, accepted monkey as brother. That is what Ramanayan is about which is good for wellness of humanity. But what you (BJP) say is bad," he said, according to a report on ANI.
BJP Criticises A Raja's Comment
BJP leaders came down heavily against the statements allegedly aimed to destabilise national unity through divisive politics. Amit Malviya said, "The hate speeches from DMK’s stable continue unabated. After Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call to annihilate Sanatan Dharma, it is now A Raja who calls for balkanisation of India, derides Bhagwan Ram, makes disparaging comments on Manipuris and questions the idea of India, as a nation. Congress and other I.N.D.I Alliance partners are quiet. Rahul Gandhi, their putative Prime Ministerial candidate’s silence is eloquent."
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai said, "Constructing imaginary situations & poisoning the minds of the people with secessionist thoughts has been the bedrock of Dravidian politics. I.N.D.I. Alliance member DMK wants this country divided desperately post the elections. The propaganda of DMK buried in 1963 will never be allowed to rise & we strongly condemn the I.N.D.I. Alliance for its desperate attempts to break our country and acting as a puppet of foreign agents."
'A Raja's Remark Not Part Of I.N.D.I.A Bloc'
On DMK leader A Raja's remarks on 'Jai Shri Ram' and the idea of India, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "This is his personal statement. It is not ours (I.N.D.I.A Bloc)."