Yet another time, leaders belonging to the DMK have made casteist jibes at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman invoking her Brahmin identity. This time it was DMK MP A Raja. And he did not just stop at that. He targeted multiple Hindus and Hindu cultural icons.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is organizing public meetings across all 37 parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, operating under the theme “Stalin’s voice to restore rights – let fascism fall” and the slogan “Let I.N.D.I.Ally Win.” The series of gatherings is set to take place over three days, commencing on 16 February 2024, throughout the state.
On 17 February 2024, at the DMK’s platform in Madurai, Member of Parliament for the Nilgiris constituency and Deputy General Secretary for the DMK, A Raja, known for making provocative statements on Hindu dharma and also for making casteist remarks, once again resorted to making such remarks at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman among many other inflammatory and derogatory statements.
Addressed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman As ‘Mami’
During his address on the stage, A Raja insulted Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, mocking her Tamil Brahmin background by referring to her as ‘Mami.’ It’s important to note that the term ‘Mami’ is often used as a derogatory slur, particularly by Dravidian ideologues, when addressing Tamil Brahmin women in Tamil Nadu.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visite Chennai and Thoothukudi to assess the flood damage caused by Cyclone Michuang and Sitharaman was received by DMK Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi.
A Raja remarked, “A few days ago, Modi said in parliament that if a thorn pricks your feet, tears should flow from your eyes, that is unity. Because it is the same body. So if one organ is in danger, another organ should shed tears. When Thoothukudi, Chennai, Tirunelveli were flooded, so many people died, so many houses disappeared, so many crops were destroyed, you came in helicopter, ‘Mami’ Nirmala came and shook Kanimozhi’s hand. I also asked Kanimozhi if she got a lot of money. I asked if there was anything special for Thoothukudi, I really thought that if it was a woman, the ghost would go away. I thought Nirmala would get down with Kanimozhi, but she didn’t even get down into the water. It just came to the ground, waved her hands and left.”
This is not the first time Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been addressed by such casteist remarks. DMK MP, Dayanidhi Maran, also insulted and ridiculing Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while defending Udhayanidhi Stalin in Parliament earlier this month. He said, “He said, we are not asking for your money or your father’s money, just give our tax revenue share. In response to that, our Finance minister held a press conference, and for one hour she lashed out at us. What did she say? That Udhayanidhi Stalin did not speak respectfully, he should not say words like your father’s money or mother’s money. But she didn’t realise that the PM himself once asked if it was your “grandfather’s money”. Didn’t Nirmala Sitharaman find time to advise him? I am asking her, Madam Nirmala Sitharaman, you are speaking about mother’s money, I ask you in return, is it your father’s (thopanaar) money? (Here Dayanidhi Maran has used the word Thopanaar, which is a Tambram dialect directed at the background of Nirmala Sitharaman). If I say that, will it be nice? No, right? It is exactly that, your speech was filled with vehemence.” (Here Dayanidhi Maran has used the word Thopanaar, which is a Tambram dialect directed at the background of Nirmala Sitharaman).
Says Krishnadevaraya’s Son-In-Law Was Muslim
Subsequently, A Raja propagated a novel theory, disseminating false information that the revered Vijayanagara king, Krishnadevaraya, had given his daughter in marriage to a Muslim. This narrative was presented in alignment with the concept of unity in diversity. He said, “Ramayana is supposed to bring unity, but I ask whether the Rama you bring brings unity? or the child Rama brings unity? No, that’s what saddens us, why, is there no Perumal Temple in Madurai? Do you know that Krishnadevaraya gave his daughter to a Muslim, Krishnadevaraya is the one who constructed so much Perumal temple in this land, his son-in-law is a Muslim.”
Krishna Devaraya’s son in law is a Muslim, claims A Raja!
Where did he learn history from? pic.twitter.com/xoWE1NGOp8
— Ethirajan Srinivasan 🇮🇳🚩 (@Ethirajans) February 18, 2024
Peddles Lies About Meities In Manipur
Continuing his tirade, he jumped on the topic of Manipur’s Meities and Kukis. Speaking about the naked parading of the Kuki woman in the state during the Manipur riots, he said, “What happened in Manipur? A Christian woman from the tribal community, was paraded naked while 200 people were filming her with their cellphones and they shouted “Jai Shri Ram”. I don’t know for what all reasons Lord Rama is involved. For what kind of stuff do you invoke Rama? A woman was stripped naked and is gang raped and they shout Jai Shri Ram. Did the Chief Minister express regret? Did he say it was wrong? Did he resign from his post?”
In reality, there were no chants of Jai Shri Ram during the riots or during this heinous instance in Manipur. Neither the riots nor this incident were communal in nature.
A Raja talks about Manipur issue in a public meeting. Says, A Christian woman was paraded naked by people shouting "Jai shri ram". The shameful incident in Manipur wasn't due to religion & culprits didn't shout Jai Shri Ram. A MP taking like this is inciting religious hatered. pic.twitter.com/fXBwhddNMf
— hi_there (@hi_there_2023) February 18, 2024
Hails Islamic Pakistan & Bangladesh
Discussing the unemployment rates in the country, he compared the situation of Pakistan and Bangladesh to that of India. He said, “Bangladesh is a country that we helped to give birth to. Those without employment in Bangladesh is 11%. We call Pakistan a country formed on religious grounds, the unemployment rate is only 13%. You call this country a Punya Bhoomi, Spiritual Bhoomi, rivers such as Ganga, Kaveri flow through the country and has everything from Himalayas to Kanyakumari, in this spiritual land, the unemployment rate is 26%. What is your condition compared to Pakistan and Bangladesh?”
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