• By Kamal Kumar
  • Tue, 05 Dec 2023 06:04 PM (IST)
  • Source:PTI

DMK MP DNV Senthilkumar's "Gaumutra States" comment on Tuesday during a Lok Sabha debate sparked a fresh political row in the country. Senthilkumar termed "Hindi heartland" states as "Gaumutra States" and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the capability of only winning in those states.

His comments were not received well by the saffron camp supporters who slammed the DMK, questioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's stance on the derogatory comments made by their INDIA bloc partner against North Indians.

Leading the charge against the DMK MP, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi said, "I think that is a disrespect of the 'Sanatani' tradition. DMK will soon get to know the benefits of 'Gaumutra'. They are very well aware that this will not be tolerated by the people of the country. Anyone who tries to play with the sentiments of the country will get a befitting reply from the public."

DMK leader's remark came amid discussions on recent assembly elections opened a 'Noth-South divide' debate. Notably, some voices are trying to start a discussion over the divide between north and south India after the recent assembly election witnessed the BJP's landslide victory in three Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. During the poll campaign, BJP used the remarks made by DMK leader Udhayanidhi on Sanatan Dharma against the INDIA bloc.

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Later the MP backtracked on his derogatory statements and said that 'if people find it hurting, I will try to avoid using it next time.'

"I made some statements inside the House. At the time Home Minister & BJP members were there at that time. I have used this before in my Parliament speeches. It was not a controversial statement. If it touches somebody I will try to avoid using it next time. I will use some other words to mention that where the BJP is strong in getting their votes," DMK MP DNV Senthilkumar S responded on his 'Gaumutra' remark.

Earlier this year, Congress had wrested Karnataka from the BJP, while other southern states are ruled by non-BJP parties including Tamil Nadu where Congress ally DMK is in power. Speaking in Lok Sabha, Senthilkumar said, "You (BJP) cannot come to South India. You see all the results of what happens in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka ... we are very strong over there."

He went on to say, "We will not be surprised if you have an option of converting all these states into Union territories so that you can come into indirect power because you can never dream of setting foot over there and taking control of all the southern states."
In Tamil Nadu, state BJP chief K Annamalai condemned the "insensitive" remarks of the MP, saying the level of the party's discourse is "sinking" like Chennai and the "arrogance" of DMK will be the prime reason for its downfall.

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"After calling our North Indian friends Pani Puri sellers, toilet constructors, etc., I.N.D.I. Alliance DMK MP, makes Gaumutra Jibes," he said on X.

"Chennai is sinking due to the misgovernance of DMK & and so is their level of discourse on the floor of the Parliament," Annamalai said, referring to the flood-like situation in the state capital.

The BJP "highly condemns this insensitive remark," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)