DMK MPs Dayanidhi Maran and TR Baalu along with Tamizhachi Thangapandian and Kalanidhi Veerasamy had met the Chief Secretary yesterday to submit the petitions received under DMK’s propaganda banner “Ondrinaivom Vaa”. However, the DMK MPs alleged that the Chief Secretary did not receive them properly and had insulted them. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dayanidhi Maran said “Engalai moondram thara makkal pol nadathinaargal. Naangal enna thaazhthapatta aatkala?”(They treated us like third-class people. What are we? Depressed class people?)”
Many people came out condemning the DMK MP for his comments and his mindset towards the Dalits.
Leader of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Thol. Thirumavalavan who is also an alliance partner of the DMK strode cautiously saying “The DMK leaders were right in expressing their anguish against the Chief Secretary. However, the comment about Dalits is shocking. Even though there is no intention behind the comment, this has affected the minds and heart of their partners.”
Both the parties and their leaders have come under severe criticism from Dalits. The VCK MP has been accused of being soft on their alliance partner.
ADMK Spokesperson Maruthu Alaguraj tweeted if whether Thirumavalavan would have reacted the same way if it had been any other party. Popular TV anchor Madan Ravichandran too took a jibe at Mr. Thirumavalavan for his apathy. BJYM Tamil Nadu Vice President SG Suryah wrote “Sarakkum illai. Midukkum illai” referring the VCK MP’s earlier comments made in a stage over ‘staged love’.