CHENNAI: DMK MP Kanimozhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP and RSS, vowing to create a “BJP and RSS-free Bharat. Such a statement was made by Kanimozhi during an event organised by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) on October 14, 2024. She spew venom against the BJP and the RSS and stated that “hate politics” was being perpetuated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological parent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The sister of DMK Chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin minced no words in her attack on the BJP and RSS, accusing them of sowing division and spreading hatred across the country. “We will create a BJP and RSS-free Bharat,” Kanimozhi declared to an enthusiastic audience. “I would like to tell the BJP in Tamil Nadu that they have no place here, as we showed in the last elections,” she added, referring to the drubbing the BJP received in Tamil Nadu in the 2021 state assembly elections and the 2024 general elections.
The meeting, which was attended by senior Congress leaders and allies, was organized to denounce the divisive policies allegedly being advanced by the BJP and RSS. Kanimozhi emphasized the opposition’s commitment to countering these forces, painting the BJP and RSS as entities obsessed with power and willing to use religion as a tool for political gain. “They are sowing the seeds of hatred every day, and we have to keep removing them with dedication,” she remarked, underscoring the need for continuous efforts to challenge their ideology.
She heaped praise on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him the only “fearless person” who is standing up to the BJP and RSS. According to Kanimozhi, Gandhi’s “Bharat Jodo Yatra” exemplifies love-based politics as a counter to what she described as the “hate politics” of the BJP-RSS. “If there is a fearless person today, it is Rahul Gandhi. He is spreading love to counter the hate politics of both BJP and RSS in the country,” she stated.
During her speech, Kanimozhi also took a swipe at BJP’s religious politics, accusing them of being disingenuous in their approach to Hinduism. “Those present on this dais are following harmony-based politics. They (BJP and RSS) do not have real faith in religion. It is all for votes,” she asserted. She emphasized that the DMK, under the influence of social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy’s principles, respects all religions and is committed to social justice. “We follow Periyar’s ideals of social justice, and we are ready to fight to protect it,” she said, positioning the DMK as a secular, egalitarian force.
Kanimozhi’s scathing remarks also extended to the BJP’s opposition to practices like beef eating, which she called another example of their “hollow” and “fake” politics. She criticized the party for using religion as a cover for political gain, remarking, “They are taking a stand against beef eating, but everything they do is with political gain in mind.”
In a direct challenge to the RSS and BJP, Kanimozhi questioned their contributions to the protection of Hinduism. “What is their contribution to Hinduism? What have they done for Hindus in all these years? Can they spell out anything to prove their stand and words?” she asked, highlighting the gap between the BJP’s religious rhetoric and their actual deeds.
Kanimozhi also recounted an incident involving Rahul Gandhi and former Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, where the latter allegedly insulted Gandhi by referring to him as a “casteless person” after he demanded a caste census. She expressed confusion over the remark at first, only to later realize it was meant as an insult. However, she admired Gandhi’s retort, stating, “When I heard Rahul say, ‘Yes, I am casteless,’ I didn’t know whether it was a Congressman speaking or a follower of Periyar.”
The Thoothukudi MP also weighed in on last year’s controversy regarding the G20 summit dinner invitations that were issued in the name of the “President of Bharat” instead of “President of India.” Kanimozhi had then questioned whether the RSS was behind the push to change the country’s name, criticizing the move as politically motivated. “Is RSS setting the agenda for the entire nation? Why has the name ‘Bharat’ suddenly been used? What is the intention behind it?” she asked.
Kanimozhi’s remarks come at a time when critics argue that she may be feeling sidelined within the DMK’s internal power dynamics. Speculation is rife that she is unhappy with Udhayanidhi Stalin, her nephew, being appointed Deputy Chief Minister, a position she may have aspired to. With rumours of her focusing more on national politics, some believe that her vocal opposition to the BJP is part of a broader strategy to consolidate support within the opposition alliance and elevate her political standing. Despite this, critics say she lacks the influence to split DMK legislators or challenge Udhayanidhi’s growing stature within the party.
