The DMK and its ally, the CPI(M), appear to be focused on nothing but divisive and anti-Tamil politics, seemingly oblivious to real issues at hand. This became evident when CPI(M) MPs and DMK cadres once again pushed a narrative surrounding the recent scheduling of the Indian premium institution ICAI’s foundational course exam. The exam, set to take place from January 12 to January 18 across four dates, was immediately criticized by these leaders, who claimed that the exam coinciding with the Pongal festival was an attempt by the central government to target Tamils. They labeled it as an anti-Tamil move. In response, BJP state secretary SG Suryah delivered a strong and fitting rebuttal to their claims.
On 24 November 2024, CPI(M) MP Su Vekatesan and DMK Student Wing President Rajiv Gandhi propagated the same narrative in unison.
CPI M MP Su Vekatesan on 24 November 2024, via his official X account stated, “Exams on Pongal. No matter how many times we say it, it won’t change. We won’t rest on it. Union government, change the exam date immediately. Stop insulting Tamil culture. CA Foundation Exams on Pongal. Letter to Union Minister and ICAI Chairman requesting change of dates. Many parents of candidates who have applied for CA Foundation Exam have contacted me. Business laws and Quantitative Aptitude exams have been announced on Pongal (14.11.2024), the people’s festival of Tamil Nadu, and Uzhavar Thirunal (16.11.2024), respectively. Considering that Pongal, the “harvest festival”, is a unique cultural festival of Tamil Nadu, I have written to Union Minister of Corporate Affairs Hon’ble Nirmala Sitharaman and ICAI Chairman CA Ranjith Kumar Agarwal to reschedule the exam schedule without any inconvenience to the candidates.”
பொங்கல் திருநாள் அன்று தேர்வுகள்.
எத்தனை முறை சொன்னாலும் திருந்தப்போவதில்லை.
அதற்காக நாம் ஓயப்போவதுமில்லை.
ஒன்றிய அரசே, தேர்வு தேதியை உடனே மாற்று.
தமிழ்ப் பண்பாட்டை அவமதிக்கும் செயலை கைவிடு. 1/2 @nsitharaman @theicai #UnionGovt#ExamsOnPongalDay#தமிழர்திருநாள்… pic.twitter.com/YcdMckPkf3
— Su Venkatesan MP (@SuVe4Madurai) November 24, 2024
Similarly, DMK Student Wing President Rajiv Gandhi, through his official X account, stated, “Anti-Tamil Union BJP Government!! Union Government is conducting CA Foundation exams on the Tamil festival Pongal!! Will you conduct the exam on Diwali??”
தமிழர் விரோத ஒன்றிய பாஜக அரசு!!
தமிழர் திருநாளாம் பொங்கல் அன்று சி.ஏ பவுண்டேசன் தேர்வுகளை நடத்துகிறது ஒன்றிய அரசு!!
தீபாவளி அன்று தேர்வு நடத்துவீர்களா??@nsitharaman @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/I1C3HceK3j
— R.Rajiv Gandhi ✨ (@rajiv_dmk) November 24, 2024
In a strong rebuttal, BJP State Secretary SG Suryah responded by pointing out that Pongal is celebrated in various forms across the country, including Makar Sankranti and Lohri in the North, Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarayani in Gujarat and Rajasthan, among others. He emphasized that Pongal is a national festival, celebrated by people all over India, not just in Tamil Nadu.
Suryah further questioned, “According to your strange theory, does this mean the BJP is against all states?” He clarified that the dates for the CA exams are determined by the ICAI, an independent statutory body, not the Finance Ministry.
SG Suryah via his official X account rebuking the DMK stated, “Shameful obfuscation of facts. Same Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti, Lohri in North, Khichdi in UP, Uttarayani in Gujarat & Rajasthan, and Maghi in Haryana & Punjab, Bihu in North Eastern States. So Pongal is a National festival that whole India celebrates & not only in Tamil Nadu. So #BJP is Anti-all states according to your funny theory? Secondly, dates for CA Exams are decided by an independent statutory body@theicai & not by Finance Ministry. Thirdly, only Professionals know why such holidays are chosen for Professional course exams. For example I’m a Practicing Company Secretary & all my CS Exams during my student days happened from Christmas to New Year holiday block. Does it mean #ICSI is Anti-New Year & Christmas? Funny DMK guys!”
Shameful obfuscation of facts.
Same Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti, Lohri in North, Khichdi in UP, Uttarayani in Gujarat & Rajasthan, and Maghi in Haryana & Punjab, Bihu in North Eastern States.
So Pongal is a National festival that whole India celebrates & not only in… https://t.co/XFCkhzYxi8
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) November 24, 2024
And criticising the CPIM MP he stated, “I know Mr. Su. Venkatesan(@SuVe4Madurai) wil get caught somewhere like this! What does a story writer know about Professional Courses? All these are the domain of those who study and pass. Why do you care all these? Okay, let’s get to the point. Is Pongal a festival celebrated only in Tamil Nadu? Instead of lying 24 hours a day, you can develop common sense by asking communists from other states?”
“This same Pongal is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in other states, Lohri in North India, Khichdi in UP, Uttarayan in Gujarat & Rajasthan, Mahi in Haryana & Punjab, and Bihu in the North-Eastern states. First of all, before talking about division, you should understand that Pongal is a national festival celebrated not only in Tamil Nadu but all over India. So how is this against Tamils only? As an MP, if he had sat in the Parliament canteen 24 hours a day and talked to four people without wiping the bench, would he have developed even a little basic knowledge? Secondly, it is not the central government or the finance ministry that decides the CA exam dates. It is an autonomous organization called @theicai.” He stated
“There are various criteria for that. For example, if it is a Communist Party meeting, not even 10 people will come; so you can have it anytime. But, CA exam is the dream and future of lakhs of students – hence the exam dates can be decided only after considering various factors. Thirdly, only those who study hard know why such holidays are chosen for exams for Professional Courses. There is no way for piggy banks like you to know all that. Even if you take 7 births, you cannot pass even a single Professional Course in India; if you want to play politics in their life, that dream will not come true! Well, what right do I have to say this. I too have studied hard for a similar Professional Course… and passed it (not a piggy banks!) . So I say, save your respect (if you think you have such a thing(!))!” He added.
திரு.சு.வெங்கடேசன்(@SuVe4Madurai) இப்படி எங்காவது மாட்டுவாப்லனு தெரியுமே! 😂
கதை எழுதுபவருக்கு Professional Courses குறித்து என்ன தெரியும்? அதெல்லாம் படித்து தேர்ச்சி பெறுபவர்கள் domain. தங்களுக்கு எதற்கு இதெல்லாம்?
சரி விஷயத்துக்கு வருவோம்.
பொங்கல் தமிழகம் மட்டும் கொண்டாடும்… https://t.co/6JNg1rjy4G
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) November 24, 2024
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also backed Suryah’s response, criticizing the CPI(M) MP and the DMK for their baseless claims. She pointed out that “some people have become accustomed to spreading propaganda against the Union government, labeling it as ‘anti-Tamil’ without any justification.”
சரியாகவும், விளக்கமாகவும் பதில் சொல்லியிருக்கீங்க சூர்யா அவர்களே.
எதில பார்த்தாலும், எப்ப பார்த்தாலும் “தமிழ் விரோதி” ப்ரசாரம் சிலருக்கு பழக்கமாகிவிட்டது போலும். https://t.co/jMkMz8QsNV
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 24, 2024
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