DMK MP apologises after ‘gaumutra states’ jibe at Hindi heartland draws flak

However, Senthilkumar apologised for the comment on Tuesday evening. He took to X (formerly Twitter) and said he did not intend to use the word in any wrong way.

முடிந்த ஐந்து மாநில சட்டமன்றத் தேர்தல் முடிவுகள் குறித்து கருத்துக் கூறிய நான், தவறான பொருள் அளிக்கும் வகையில் ஒரு சொல்லைப் பயன்படுத்தி விட்டேன்.

எந்த உள்நோக்கத்துடனும் அந்த சொல்லை பயன்படுத்தவில்லை,

அது தவறான பொருள் தருவது என்பதால் வெளிப்படையாக மன்னிப்புக் கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறேன்.

— Dr.Senthilkumar.S (@DrSenthil_MDRD) December 5, 2023

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The comments

Participating in a debate in the Lower House on two Bills related to Jammu and Kashmir, Senthilkumar said people of this country should think that the power of the BJP was only winning elections “in the heartland states of Hindi and what we generally called as gaumutra states”.

The comments come in the backdrop of some referring to the recent Assembly election results as a “North-South divide” after the BJP trounced the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, while the Congress won in Telangana.

During the elections, the row over some DMK leaders’ remarks against Sanatana Dharma had been latched onto by the BJP to target the Congress.

Earlier this year, the Congress wrested Karnataka from the BJP, while the other southern states are ruled by non-BJP parties and coalitions — including Tamil Nadu, where Congress ally DMK is in power.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Senthilkumar said, “You (BJP) cannot come to South India. You see all the results of what happens in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka … We are very strong over there.”

He went on to say, “We will not be surprised if you have an option of converting all these states into Union territories so that you can come into indirect power because you can never dream of setting foot over there and taking control of all the southern states.”

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Annamalai calls remark ‘insensitive’

In Tamil Nadu, state BJP chief K Annamalai condemned the “insensitive” remarks of the MP, saying the level of the party’s discourse was “sinking” like Chennai and the “arrogance” of the DMK would be the prime reason for its downfall.

“After calling our North Indian friends Pani Puri sellers, toilet constructors, etc., I.N.D.I. Alliance DMK MP, makes Gaumutra Jibes,” he said on X.

“Chennai is sinking due to the misgovernance of DMK & and so is their level of discourse on the floor of the Parliament,” Annamalai said, referring to the flood-like situation in the state capital.

The BJP “highly condemns this insensitive remark,” he said.

Annamalai said the DMK MP has possibly forgotten that the NDA Alliance is in power in Puducherry and was in power in Karnataka until recently.

“The arrogance of DMK will be the prime reason for their downfall!” he posted.

Chennai is sinking due to the misgovernance of DMK & and so is their level of discourse on the floor of the Parliament.

After calling our North Indian friends Pani Puri sellers, toilet constructors, etc., I.N.D.I. Alliance DMK MP, makes Gaumutra Jibes. @BJP4TamilNadu highly… pic.twitter.com/S13YzvDfsb

— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) December 5, 2023

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Congress seeks apology

Congress MP Karthi Chidambaram termed the comment unfortunate and sought an apology from Senthilkumar.

“Very unfortunate choice of words. Unparliamentary. @DrSenthil_MDRD must forthwith apologize & withdraw his comments,” he wrote on X.

Very unfortunate choice of words. Unparliamentary. @DrSenthil_MDRD must forthwith apologize & withdraw his comments. https://t.co/2FRLYMUcFW

— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) December 5, 2023

Tamil Nadu Congress working president Mohan Kumaramangalam slammed the MP and said that the usage was not in the common parlance in the state.

“There is no ‘we generally call’ for the term Gaumutra which is definitely not in the common parlance of Tamilnadu. Tamilians do not need to disparage people of any region or religion in order to feel good about ourselves. That’s the BJP’s MO which is why it has 0 MPs from TN. The DMK MP should know better,” he wrote on X.

There is no “we generally call” for the term Gaumutra which is definitely not in the common parlance of Tamilnadu. Tamilians do not need to disparage people of any region or religion in order to feel good about ourselves. That’s the BJP’s MO which is why it has 0 MPs from TN.… https://t.co/U04ULmognm

— Mohan Kumaramangalam மோகன் குமாரமங்கலம் (@MKumaramangalam) December 5, 2023

Former Karnataka minister CT Ravi asked if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi endorsed such insulting remarks.

“Will I.N.D.I. Alliance leader Rahul Gandhi agree with this DMK man who has insulted Bharatiyas of the Heartland States? How long will CONgress and its allies insult Bharatiyas? (sic),” he said on X.

The BJP is winning elections in the Hindi Heartland States, or what we call as the Gaumutra States. You cannot come to South India”.

This is what DMK MP Senthil Kumar said in the Lok Sabha today.

Will I.N.D.I. Alliance leader Rahul Gandhi agree with this DMK man who has… pic.twitter.com/Aw3NK9u9jf

— C T Ravi 🇮🇳 ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (Modi Ka Parivar) (@CTRavi_BJP) December 5, 2023

Meanwhile, BJP Rajya Sabha member GVL Narasimha Rao on Tuesday demanded that the Tamil Nadu government register a case against state minister for making “hate speeches” against the Sanatana Dharma and sack them from their posts.

(With PTI inputs)