In a recently resurfaced video featuring DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran, the political landscape is heating up as the clip circulates amidst the looming Lok Sabha contest. Maran is heard comparing the professional outcomes of Hindi and English education in Bihar, suggesting that those studying only Hindi in the state end up "building houses" and "cleaning toilets" in Tamil Nadu.
Maran's exact words in the viral video are, "Only because they (people here) studied English, today they earn fat salaries in IT companies. They say 'Hindi Hindi'. You know well who build buildings. Those who study only Hindi in Bihar build houses for us in Tamil Nadu, sweep roads and clean toilets."
The DMK, quick to respond, asserts that the video is old and accuses the BJP of recirculating it to deflect attention from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's clash with the Tamil Nadu government over flood relief funds. A DMK source claims, "The BJP has recirculated the video to divert attention from the backlash Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman faces amid her face-off with the Tamil Nadu government over its demand for flood relief funds."
The controversy has triggered a political row, with leaders from both the BJP and the INDIA bloc's ally, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar, expressing criticism. Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader, Tejashwi Yadav, condemned Maran's remarks, emphasizing the unity of the country and urging leaders to avoid divisive statements. Yadav stated, "This is condemnable. Leaders from other states, irrespective of which party they belong to, should avoid making such remarks. This country is one. We respect people from other states and we expect the same. Such remarks should not be made."
Union Minister and Bihar leader Giriraj Singh seized the opportunity to launch a scathing attack on the DMK and its ally Congress. Singh accused them of employing language that aims to divide the country, defending the hardworking people of Bihar who, he argued, contribute to the development of the states they work in. Singh remarked, "The language of Congress and DMK is a language to break the country. People from Bihar, wherever they go, work hard, and it is not a crime to work with self-respect. They contribute to that state's development."
Singh also referenced DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin's past comments on Sanatan Dharma, connecting them to the current controversy and accusing the DMK of insulting the nation. The BJP leader asserted, "They have done this earlier. They spoke about finishing Sanatan, now they are targeting laborers. This is unfortunate. and Rahul Gandhi derives enjoyment from such remarks."
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, has slammed INDIA bloc leaders from the two states for not speaking against the DMK MP.
BJP MP from Patna Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that DMK leaders should stop insulting people of Bihar. "People of Bihar are forced to go there because of the condition of the state under Nitish Kumar, who is a member of their INDI alliance," BJP MP said.
Shehzad Poonawalla accused the INDIA bloc of trying to divide the people of the country along the lines of caste, language and religion and slammed the alliance's "inaction" against the DMK MP.
"Once again an attempt to play the Divide and Rule card," Poonawalla wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He said the language used by Dayanidhi Maran "unfortunate" and added that the remark was not a coincidence when the action of other leaders are considered.
He slammed leaders of the INDIA bloc from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar over Dayanidhi Maran's remark and asked why they were silent.
"Will Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Yadav, Congress, SP Akhilesh Yadav all pretend that this isn’t happening ? When will they take a stand?," asked Poonawalla.
Poonawalla said no action was taken against another DMK MP, DNV Senthilkumar, who sparked a controversy after he made a remark against Hindi heartland states during the Winter Session of Parliament.
Poonawalla also slammed Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over old incidents.
