Senior DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) leader A Raja has ignited a fresh controversy with his remarks on slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai.’ The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleges that Raja called for the “Balkanisation of India” and made disparaging comments on Manipuris, questioning the idea of India as a nation.
In a speech delivered in Madurai, A Raja stated, “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.” He went on to describe India as a subcontinent with various languages, traditions, and cultures, emphasizing the diversity of the country. Raja also made reference to cultural practices in different states, including a mention of Manipur and the consumption of dog meat, highlighting the cultural diversity within the subcontinent.
The BJP’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, shared a translated version of Raja’s speech, claiming that it questions the unity of India and promotes the idea of a subcontinent rather than a nation. The comments come in the wake of a recent controversy involving DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on Sanatana Dharma, stirring debates on cultural and religious sensitivities.
