DMK MP stokes controversy, says BJP can win elections only in 'gaumutra' states; saffron party hits back

DMK MP DNV Senthilkumar S on Tuesday stoked controversy as he claimed that the BJP can win elections only in "gaumutra states", drawing a sharp retort from the saffron party leaders who said that DMK will soon get to know the benefits of 'gaumutra' when people teach them a lesson for disrespecting the 'Sanatani' tradition and Indian culture.While addressing the Parliament on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2023 in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, DNV Senthilkumar said, "...The people of this country should think that the power of this BJP is only winning elections mainly in the heartland states of Hindi, what we generally call the 'Gaumutra' states...."In the recently-concluded Assembly elections, the BJP swept all the three Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while Congress managed to win only the southern state of Telangana.Referring to states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra, Telangana and Karnataka, he said that the saffron party cannot come to South India as the non-BJP parties/governments are very strong there. Further in his seven-minute speech, he tried to make false equivalence with the Unionhood of Jammu and Kashmir."So we will not be surprised if you have an option of converting these states into Union Territories, so that you can come into indirect power... You can never dream of setting foot over there and taking control of all the southern states...," said the DMK MP.Later, speaking to ANI news agency outside Parliament, Senthilkumar S said he has used a similar statement in his previous Parliament speeches and insisted it was not a controversial remark"I made some statement inside the House. At the time Home Minister and BJP members were there. I have used this before in my Parliament speeches. It was not a controversial statement. If it touches somebody I will try to avoid using it next time. I will use some other words to mention that where the BJP is strong in getting their votes," said the DMK MPReacting to DMK MP's controversial statement, Union Minister and BJP leader Meenakashi Lekhi said that the southern party leader has  disrespected the 'Sanatani' tradition and this will not be tolerated by the people of the country."I think that is a disrespect of the 'Sanatani' tradition. DMK will soon get to know the benefits of 'Gaumutra'. They are very well aware that this will not be tolerated by the people of the country. Anyone who tries to play with the sentiments of the country will get a befitting reply from the public...," said Lekhi.In agreement with Lekhi's remarks, BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar said that the BJP is accepted all across the country and whoever is making such comments lacks knowledge."BJP is accepted all across the country. Whoever is saying this, does not have any knowledge. He is not aware of the culture of India but we all know that people have trust in BJP and PM Modi is not just an Indian leader, he has become a world leader...," said Sarkar.Meanwhile, Congress leader Congress MP Karti Chidambaram called his choice of words very unfortunate.Taking to X, Karti Chidambaram said, "Very unfortunate choice of words. Unparliamentary. Must forthwith apologize & withdraw his comments"Congress MP Rajiv Shukla said the politics of DMK is different and the grand old party does not agree with their politics."Congress believes in 'Sanatana Dharma' and 'Gaumata' as well. We believe in moving forward with people from all religions...," said Shukla.However, Senthilkumar S also saw some support coming his way."I agree with his statement, he is correct," said MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) MP Vaiko.It is not the first time that the DMK leader has made the Hinduphobic ‘gaumutra’ comment inside the Parliament.In February 2022, he mocked the BJP government by making the Hinduphobic ‘gaumutra’ comment in Parliament.In his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President, Senthilkumar had said that if the government at all wants to implement the National Education Policy, it should do it in their ‘gaumutra’ states.With inputs from agencies