The recent interview between DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Dravidianist supporter journalist Kathigaichelvan, the Editor of News18 Tamil, has faced backlash primarily due to the perceived leniency in the questions posed to the DMK leader. Criticism has been particularly vocal about the seemingly casual nature of the interview.
The Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of questions, labeling them as unserious and characterizing the overall interview as a “friendly match”.
On 19 January 2024, at the Pampan Kumaraguru Dasar Swamy temple in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, K Annamalai, shared his response to the event by addressing reporters and provided his perspective on the matter.
When he was questioned about Udhayanidhi Stalin’s stance on the Ram Mandir, Annamalai commented, “I watched the interview yesterday and it felt like ‘carefully done without touching the teeth’. It had friendly questions, felt like the interviewer personally coached Udhayanidhi.”
Criticism was promptly directed at K Annamalai for his remarks at Udhayanidhi Stalin, alleging that he had used “derogatory language” and a few media outlets and press clubs demanded apology.
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai, responding to criticism after attending the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai on 9 January 2024, rejected all claims during a meeting with reporters. He expressed confusion over the controversy surrounding his speech, emphasizing that his use of colloquial language and the specific dialect from the Kongu region of Tamil Nadu had been misunderstood.
K Annamalai defended his speech by highlighting the context in which he spoke and criticized the media for misinterpreting his words. refuting all the allegations he stated “If I speak in a dialect that belongs to Kongu part of Tamil Nadu they are accusing me. Their problem is not with Annamalai’s speech, for Tamil Nadu press organizations, the problem is with Annamalai not with his speech. In my home, in a farming family, to milk a cow… cow teat will be massaged with oil, watched carefully after that the calf his fed and after all this we will milk the cow. When feeding, it’s important to attentively observe the calf, ensuring that its teeth do not touch, while also gently massaging it to facilitate milking.”
He also addressed the interview as a coaching given to Udhayanidhi, a political figure, likening it to massaging a cow’s teat by applying the oil without teeth touching.
He said “In this, I do not know what is wrong. One news organization asks for ‘Apologies!’, another organization says ‘we will protest’ another says ‘we will boycott”
However, Annamalai maintained his stance, refusing to apologize and asserting that he saw no mistake in his words. He urged critics to seek psychological evaluation if they found his speech problematic. He concluded by suggesting that the controversy was not about his speech but rather an attempt by certain groups to oppose him and elevate someone else.
“In my speech I carefully realize and understand what I speak. Day after tomorrow too I’ll use the same dialect. he said adding that “there is a gang for this in Tamil Nadu which teaches malice and sees malignity in whatever word said.”
Annamalai insisted that the interview questions were inappropriate and questioned the intentions behind them. He argued that his speech was being deliberately misinterpreted by certain groups with an agenda
He added “The anchor should clarify how the interview was performed. If you ask me as a political party how the question was for Udhayanidhi Stalin means, ‘You are a famous movie actor from there you’ve come to politics which is tough?’ What are these questions? What is this brother? Is this a setting question?
He conveyed his message clearly by saying “In my speech, unnecessary groups have mixed malice means it will be difficult for you, not me. You are asking a question I am answering straight away that is my style. I’m using colloquial language often. In my town till today the dialect is used, still used in my far. If you don’t understand or if you do not know then Accept that you do not know. Do not teach malignity instead.
“Particularly there is a group sitting and doing this to appease the crown prince by applying and massaging him to create him a big man. Please, make him a big man! If you ask me, my comment will be like this.”, he said.
He finally stated “I’m not person who speaks fearing anyone. For whatever reason be, I wont apologize! Again, if I should use these words I will surely use. According to me, I don’t see even a 1% mistake in it”
கொங்கு பகுதியின் வழக்காடு மொழி தெரியவில்லை என்பதற்காக வன்மம் கற்பிப்போர் உடனடியாக psychologistஐ பார்க்க வேண்டும். மன்னிப்பு எல்லாம் கேட்க முடியாது – தலைவர் @annamalai_k pic.twitter.com/koGsMepo8w
— Krishna Kumar Murugan (@ikkmurugan) January 19, 2024
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