A recent incident involving a state-owned bus displaying its destination in Chinese characters has sparked controversy and confusion among commuters in Tamil Nadu. The incident comes hot on the heels of a previous controversy where the DMK party faced backlash for featuring a Chinese rocket model in its advertisement.
The incident occurred at the Dindugal bus stand, where passengers waiting to board a government bus bound for Pollachi were taken aback when they noticed the electronic nameplate displaying text in Chinese instead of Tamil. This unexpected display left passengers bewildered and uncertain about the bus’s intended destination, as they were unable to decipher the unfamiliar characters.
The confusion caused by the Chinese-language display has further fueled existing concerns regarding the DMK’s alleged affinity for China and Pakistan. Critics have pointed out the irony of the DMK opposing Hindi imposition while seemingly endorsing the use of Chinese on state-owned buses.
Karthik Gopinath, the state vice president of the BJP’s Social Media cell in Tamil Nadu, took to Twitter to criticise the incident, suggesting that it reflects the DMK government’s affinity towards China. His tweet sarcastically alluded to DMK leader Kanimozhi’s previous remarks, implying that the party’s apparent fondness for China is contradictory to its stance on national security.
Stalin @mkstalin government cannot hide their love for the Chinese I guess !Name boards in mandarin🙄 @KanimozhiDMK akka be like – after all China is not a declared enemy 😒 pic.twitter.com/oOvXARzIHF
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) April 26, 2024
In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects, including the upcoming ISRO launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam, Thoothukudi district, valued at approximately Rs 986 crore. This state-of-the-art facility was designed to support 24 launches annually and encompasses 35 facilities.
The DMK party in Tamil Nadu has found itself embroiled in controversy after releasing advertisements featuring foreign rockets, including Chinese rockets, to inform readers of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to inaugurate an ISRO launch complex in Thoothukudi district.
The advertisement, published in Tamil vernacular newspapers, sparked outrage among the public, with many criticising the DMK’s apparent affinity towards China. The absence of any Indian rockets or national flags in the advertisement further fueled the controversy, with people questioning the party’s loyalty to the country.
In response to media queries about the controversial advertisement, Thoothukudi DMK MP Kanimozhi expressed ignorance about the source of the artwork and defended the party’s position by stating that India has not declared China as an enemy country. She cited previous instances of diplomatic engagements between India and China, such as the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Chinese Prime Minister in Mahabalipuram, as evidence of friendly relations.
The ruling party in #TamilNadu, @arivalayam, puts up a full front page advertisement about the upcoming spaceport in #Thoothukudi
Sadly, the ad showcases multiple foreign rockets, including Chinese ones and doesn't show a single Indian rocket 😅🙈#india #space #science #tech pic.twitter.com/k7Pj8Ii5lT
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) February 28, 2024
Responding to a query from media on the controversial advertisement put up by her party, Thoothukudi DMK MP Kanimozhi said, “I don’t know from where the person who did the artwork, found this picture from. I don’t think India has declared China as an enemy country. I have seen that the Prime Minister has invited the Chinese PM and they have gone to Mahabalipuram. Just because you do not want to accept the truth, you are finding reasons to divert the issue…”.
In 2019, when the NDA government scrapped the Article 370, the then opposition party DMK vehemently opposed the Centre’s decision which according to BJP and AIADMK “was tantamount to supporting divisive forces and DMK is speaking in a manner that is against national unity”. DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai’s commented that ‘Kashmir was never a part of India,” during a television debate in a national channel. BJP wrote to the EC demanding ban on DMK.
TN BJP leader SG Surya commented in his x platform saying “ ( then )Pakistan Prime Minister #ImranKhan already called DMK President MK Stalin and thanked him for wrong footing Pakistan’s cause knowingly or unknowingly? Or not yet? Why wait still?
Pakistan Prime Minister #ImranKhan already called DMK President MK Stalin & thanked him for wrongfooting Pakistan’s cause knowingly or unknowingly? Or not yet? Why wait still?
Extremely disappointed with #DMK giving fodder to Pakistan Radio. Worst is if they don’t hit back.
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) August 20, 2019
In the midst of mounting criticism, MK Stalin opted to cancel his Maldives vacation, initially scheduled after a hectic election campaign. The decision comes amidst strained relations between India and the Maldives following the latter’s military assistance deal with China, raising concerns about the optics of Stalin’s visit to the island nation.
On March 6 this year, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu announced that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10. He made this after signing a military assistance deal with China. Close on that the relations between the two nations have been strained. In this background, Stalin’s visit was looked upon differently at a time when China’s upper hand in the Maldives administration was indirectly. Stalin should have preferred Lakshadweep which PM Modi wanted to promote in lieu of Maldives.
மே 10ம் தேதிக்குள் இந்தியர்கள் மாலத்தீவில் இருந்து வெளியேற வேண்டும் என மாலத்தீவு அதிபர் சில மாதங்களுக்கு முன்பே அறிவித்துள்ளார். pic.twitter.com/q4UJr2GJxC
— Selva Kumar (@Selvakumar_IN) April 26, 2024
It is learned from unconfirmed sources that Centre has expressed deep displeasure and concern over his Maldives trip and warned of repercussions. Today (29th), Stalin has left for Kodaikanal , princes of Hills, along with his family. He will be staying at a private resort from April 29 to May 4. Security has been beefed up and a ban on the use of drones and hot air balloons at Kodaikanal Hill Station has been announced.
Sources indicate that the Centre has expressed deep displeasure and concern over Stalin’s planned Maldives trip, warning of potential repercussions. In response, Stalin has redirected his vacation plans and embarked on a trip to Kodaikanal, a picturesque hill station known as the “Princess of Hills,” along with his family.
மே 10ம் தேதிக்குள் இந்தியர்கள் மாலத்தீவில் இருந்து வெளியேற வேண்டும் என மாலத்தீவு அதிபர் சில மாதங்களுக்கு முன்பே அறிவித்துள்ளார். pic.twitter.com/q4UJr2GJxC
— Selva Kumar (@Selvakumar_IN) April 26, 2024
The decision to vacation in Kodaikanal comes with heightened security measures, including a ban on the use of drones and hot air balloons in the hill station. The move is seen as an attempt to assuage concerns and mitigate any potential fallout from the cancelled Maldives trip.
