By Muslim Mirror Staff
A Raja, a senior leader of the MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has urged the BJP-led federal government to provide autonomy to Tamil Nadu and not push them to seek a separate country.
“Do not push us on the path of Periyar. Do not make us seek a separate country, give state autonomy and we will not rest till then,” he said while addressing an event on Sunday in presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Periyar, during his lifetime, struggled for creation of an independent of Tamil Nadu.
Dictates to state govts & continous assault on federal structure by BJP's union govt is creating all round mistrust. TN ruling party's MP @dmk_raja's threat to revive demand for (independent) TN if Modi govt failes to give autonomy to the southern state should ring alarm bells. pic.twitter.com/mrwGb1eZ8S
— Navaid Hamid نوید حامد (@navaidhamid) July 4, 2022
His remarks sparked a row in the country’s political atmosphere. Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Narayanan Tirupathi called Raja’s remark as ‘blatantly divisive’.”What is shocking and surprising is that chief minister MK Stalin remained a mute spectator. I condemn his silence. He has taken oath of office, affirming allegiance to the Constitution,” he was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying.
All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat president Navaid Hamid blamed “dictates to state govts & continous assault on federal structure by BJP’s union govt” for such remarks. In a tweet, he said, “TN ruling party’s MP‘s threat to revive demand for (independent) TN if Modi govt failes to give autonomy to the southern state should ring alarm bells.”