‘They hate Tamils and Tamil Nadu’: Congress MP slams Union minister for blast remarks

On Karandlaje making an apology after her statement, the Congress MP said, “Giving a statement in the morning and evening; tweeting it saying ‘sorry’ is not acceptable.” 

#WATCH | Delhi: On Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje’s remark, Congress MP Manickam Tagore says, “It’s an insult to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. A Union Minister, who is close to PM Modi, making a statement like that, shows that they hate Tamils and Tamil Nadu…Giving a statement in… pic.twitter.com/RlPY9lPtu0

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2024

The Union Minister had issued an apology hours after the statement led to a slugfest, and said that her remarks were “meant to shine light, not cast shadows”.

In a post on X, she wrote, “To my Tamil brothers & sisters, I wish to clarify that my words were meant to shine light, not cast shadows. Yet I see that my remarks brought pain to some – and for that, I apologize. My remarks were solely directed towards those trained in the Krishnagiri forest, linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. To anyone from Tamilnadu affected, From the depths of my heart, I ask your forgiveness. Furthermore, I retract my previous comments.” 

Earlier, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also condemned the statements made by the Union Minister, and urged the Election Commission of India to take action against such hate speech. “Strongly condemn Union BJP Minister @ShobhaBJP’s reckless statement. One must either be an NIA official or closely linked to the #RameshwaramCafeBlast to make such claims. Clearly, she lacks the authority for such assertions. Tamilians and Kannadigas alike will reject this divisive rhetoric of BJP. I also urge for an appropriate legal action against Shobha for causing threat to peace, harmony and national unity,” stalin tweeted.

Strongly condemn Union BJP Minister @ShobhaBJP‘s reckless statement. One must either be an NIA official or closely linked to the #RameshwaramCafeBlast to make such claims. Clearly, she lacks the authority for such assertions. Tamilians and Kannadigas alike will reject this… https://t.co/wIgk4oK3dh

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 19, 2024

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is probing the Rameshwaram Cafe blast is looking at the Islamic State-linked terror module from Shivamogga for possible links to the March 1 incident. The bomb went off at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, injuring at least nine people during lunch hour rush.