‘India a subcontinent, not country’, remarks on Ram: What DMK’s A Raja said, triggering political firestorm

Further, referring to supporters of the Bilkis Bano gangrape convicts chanting “Jai Shri Ram” when they were released, Raja said, “If this the god you are talking about, if this is your ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, we will never accept your ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata’. Tamil Nadu cannot accept that. You go and tell everyone that we are enemies of Ram.”

His remarks, however, met with strong criticism not just by the BJP, but its own partners in the INDIA grouping, the Congress and the RJD. While BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh said these people “want to destroy the sanatan culture”, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav quickly said it was Raja’s personal statement and not that of the alliance. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate condemned his statement and said, “I think people should exercise restraint while talking… Ram belongs to everyone and is an ideal of living live.”

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | On DMK leader A Raja’s remarks on ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and the idea of India, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, “This is his personal statement. It is not ours (INDIA Alliance).” pic.twitter.com/NOU4pdtT3M

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024

Amit Malviya, BJP IT Cell head said on ‘X’, “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…”

Raja’s speech comes within days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attack on DMK. Modi had predicted the Dravidian party’s end after the elections. Raja said DMK would exist as long as India existed. “You have said that DMK will not exist after the polls. If DMK is not there after polls, India also won’t be there. Remember that! Are you playing with words?”

Referring to the preamble of the Indian Constitution, Raja said, “Why I am saying India will not be here? Because if you return to power, India will not be here, because the Indian constitution will not be here. If India fails to exist, Tamil Nadu will become a separate entity. Do we wish that scenario?”

He said India is a land with diversities and many cultures. “If you come to Tamil Nadu, there is one culture. Kerala has another, Delhi and Odisha have a different culture. Manipuris eat dog meat is another culture. Yes. That is their culture. Water comes from the water tank. The same water goes to the kitchen and toilet. We do not take water for the kitchen from the toilet. Why? That is how we accept the difference. Accept differences and diversities. When Kashmir has a culture, accept it. When Manipuris eat dog meat, accept it. If one community is eating beef (it) means accept that too. What is your problem? Did they ask you to eat beef? So unity in diversity is what matters to India. Accept the diversities in this country. Should I have the same nose and ears as another person? Why should it be the same for everyone? Accepting each one as what they are is wisdom. What if you try to make everyone the same? That is the danger that has come now (through RSS),” Raja said.