On national security, Kanimozhi slammed the government’s repeated failures to prevent terror attacks.
Published Jul 29, 2025 | 4:11 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 29, 2025 | 4:11 PM
Kanimozhi in Lok Sabha. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, accused the BJP of politicising national security, mishandling foreign policy, and exploiting Tamil identity during elections. She criticised repeated terror failures, lack of global allies, inaction on Sri Lankan issues, and BJP’s dismissal of Tamil heritage. Concluding, she urged the Prime Minister to learn from Tamil history’s emphasis on peace.
During the debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 29 July, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi launched a scathing critique of the Union government, accusing it of politicising national security, failing in its foreign policy, and selectively invoking Tamil identity only during elections.
Kanimozhi began by criticising the BJP’s repeated attempts to blame India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, for current problems. “For everything that happens, the BJP blames Nehru,” she remarked pointedly.
On national security, Kanimozhi slammed the government’s repeated failures to prevent terror attacks. “You call yourselves Vishwaguru, but every time there is an attack, you say it won’t happen again. What have you learned from each attack? Have you ever taken responsibility?” she asked.
She also took on Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks, saying, “He used his speech to target the Opposition instead of explaining what the government has done to secure the nation. What measures have been taken in Jammu and Kashmir? Why are security deployments delayed? Thirteen lakh tourist bookings were cancelled because of the attacks—what relief have you provided to the affected people?”
She accused the Modi government of a complete failure in foreign policy. “After the Pakistan-led attack, a foreign leader claimed to have mediated peace over 25 times. What’s your response? Pakistan received open backing from two countries. But who stood by India? Why don’t we have global allies anymore?”
On Sri Lanka, she said, “You claim the Congress failed to manage ties with Sri Lanka. But under your rule, even after the Sri Lankan President visited India, Tamil Nadu’s fishermen are still being arrested. Why can’t you protect them?”
Referring to the government’s decision to send an all-party delegation abroad post-Operation Sindoor, Kanimozhi noted the irony. “You included people from all religions, ideologies, and political parties in the delegation. When it suits your narrative, all divisions disappear. But your domestic politics is built on division.”
She added, “I thank you for sending the delegation, but I would have been happier if such a situation had never arisen.”
She further accused the government of weakening India’s global standing and questioned the need for damage control diplomacy. “If you had protected the country’s dignity, you wouldn’t have needed to explain anything to the world,” she said.
Kanimozhi also questioned the BJP’s double standards on Tamil identity. “Every election season, you come to Tamil Nadu and pretend to celebrate Tamil culture. But you reject archaeological evidence like Keezhadi which highlights Tamil contributions to civilisation,” she said.
Recalling the Prime Minister’s visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, she said: “Remember the name—Gangaikonda Cholan, the Chola king who conquered the Ganga. He was a Tamil. A Tamil will always rise to the occasion and win.”
Concluding her speech with a strong message, Kanimozhi said, “Saying ‘I am the best leader in the world’ has no meaning. A brave king is not one who wins bloody wars, but one who ensures peace without war. Rajendra Chola did that. I hope the Prime Minister, during his visit to the Chola empire, learned that lesson.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
