DMK Nilgiris MP A Raja, notorious for his involvement in the 2G scam, has once again ignited controversy with his pointed remarks targeting Hindus, Hindutva, BJP, and Prime Minister Modi. Renowned for his provocative statements, Raja, serving as the deputy general secretary of the DMK, consistently lambastes these entities, aligning closely with the rhetoric propagated by the DMK and proponents of the Dravidian movement.
At a public gathering held on March 3 at Coimbatore’s Rajaveedi Thermuti Thidal to celebrate Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s 71st birthday, DMK Nilgiris MP A Raja delivered a speech as a guest speaker. The event, themed “Dravidian Model Government: Everything for Everyone,” aimed to showcase the achievements of the DMK government. Raja’s speech courted controversy as he directed remarks towards industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Raja alleged, “There is a man named Adani. He was ranked 110th before Modi became the Minister. When Modi became Prime Minister, Adani climbed to the 66th position, and within 10 years, he became the richest man in the world.” Raja questioned the circumstances surrounding Adani’s rise to wealth, attributing it to Modi’s influence and government contracts.
In an effort to substantiate his claims, DMK Nilgiris MP A Raja referenced the Hindenburg report, highlighting concerns of “stock manipulation and fraudulent accounting.” Employing strong language, Raja also labeled Prime Minister Modi as a “fraud.” During his speech, Raja accused Modi of perpetrating atrocities during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, alleging widespread violence against Muslims. He claimed, “Muslims were slaughtered in groups, akin to goats and cows. Women’s purdahs were lifted to verify their religious identity, and children were killed.” Raja referenced a BBC documentary, purportedly detailing these events over a five-hour broadcast, which he claimed was subsequently banned. He further alleged that Modi remained silent on the matter and obstructed inquiries into the allegations in Parliament.
During his speech, DMK Nilgiris MP A Raja made sensational allegations regarding the assault on Bilkis Bano, stating that individuals associated with the RSS were involved. Raja recounted the harrowing incident, describing how a group of Muslims, including Bilkis Bano with her six-month-old baby, were attacked by RSS members while wearing purdah and caps.
According to Raja, the assailants shouted “Jai Shri Ram” before stripping Bano naked and brutally assaulting her and her child. Raja condemned the perpetrators, likening their actions to those of animals. He claimed that 13 individuals were sentenced to double life imprisonment for the rape of 16 people. Raja further alleged that the Gujarat government, citing the accused as Brahmins, facilitated their release from prison through a cabinet decision.
During his address, DMK Nilgiris MP A Raja launched a scathing attack, disavowing the slogan “Jai Sri Ram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. Raja vehemently declared that Tamil Nadu would never accept these chants, asserting that they are enemies of Ram. He expressed disbelief in the Ramayana and the deity Ram, criticizing the notion of human harmony portrayed in the epic. Raja derided the concept of Ram having siblings from different backgrounds, labeling it as absurd.
Additionally, Raja highlighted allegations of corruption against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing accusations amounting to Rs 7 lakh crore. He ridiculed these allegations, comparing them to providing insurance and medication for a dead body, suggesting that they are baseless and laughable.
At the public gathering, DMK Nilgiris MP A Raja made assertions regarding Prime Minister Modi’s visitation patterns, highlighting his absence in Manipur. Raja alleged that during the election period, several individuals, including Adani, covertly contributed Rs 6500 crore to Modi. He suggested that if the DMK alliance secures all 40 seats and orchestrates a change in government at the center, Prime Minister Modi will face legal consequences. Raja warned Modi of potential prosecution, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
In a public statement, DMK Nilgiris MP A Raja made controversial remarks about the concept of nationhood in India. Raja asserted that India is not a nation but rather a subcontinent due to its diversity in languages, traditions, and cultures. He argued that a nation should have one language, one tradition, and one culture to be considered unified.
Raja cited examples of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, highlighting the distinct cultural identities within each region. He also mentioned Manipur, acknowledging its unique cultural practices, including the consumption of dog meat, as part of its cultural heritage. Raja’s comments stirred debate and attracted attention from various quarters.
In a pointed remark, A. Raja issued a stern warning to PM Modi, stating that if the DMK is not present in Tamil Nadu after the elections, it would threaten the existence of India. Raja emphasized the importance of the Indian Constitution, highlighting its preamble that outlines India as a sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic republic. He cautioned against any attempts to undermine the Constitution, suggesting that it could lead to the dissolution of India and the potential secession of Tamil Nadu.
INDI alliance partner DMK minister says that he will send PM Narendra Modi to jail and if there is no DMK there will be no India.
.@narendramodi .@HMOIndia
We are only asking you to take action on the corrupt, how can the nation move forward if such corrupt politicians are… pic.twitter.com/ASLIuHSlhO— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) March 3, 2024
Raja’s remarks sparked debate and criticism from some quarters, with a netizen questioning why politicians with corruption allegations are allowed to make such statements and even threatening to arrest PM Modi.
