Amit Shah’s speech in Madurai abominable, divisive and misleading: DMK leader A. Raja

DMK leader A. Raja. File | Photo Credit: PTI

DMK deputy general secretary and the Nilgiris MP, A. Raja, on Monday (June 9, 2025), said the speech of senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Madurai on Sunday was nothing but “an utter lie, a pledge for divisive politics, and abominable vengeance.”

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, he said it was unbecoming of a Home Minister to forget his position, duty, and responsibility by making baseless allegations aimed at creating communal divisions and inciting unrest in a peaceful State governed by an opposition party, for political gain.

“His speech was abominable and does not augur well for federalism or the smooth relationship between the State and the Centre,” Mr. Raja said, reiterating his belief that the people of Tamil Nadu would not be swayed by Mr. Shah’s “cheap tactics and politically motivated speech.”

Mr. Raja claimed the BJP government at the Centre was unable to digest the development and progress achieved by the DMK government under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who has ensured the continuation of welfare schemes and development projects using state funds, as the Centre has failed to allocate funds on time.

“The Centre and the BJP have enacted a shameful drama in violation of political decency because they cannot stomach the State’s growth. This does not reflect well on Amit Shah and his position as Union Home Minister. He should stop such political games,” he contended.

Rejecting the suggestion that Mr. Shah’s visit to Tamil Nadu had been a “shock” to the DMK, Mr. Raja said, on the contrary, it was the BJP that felt the shock of the DMK’s achievements.

“That is why they sent Mr. Shah to Tamil Nadu. The people of Tamil Nadu have rejected the BJP’s communal and divisive politics and stand solidly behind the DMK in all elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tamil Nadu five times during the previous Lok Sabha polls. His repeated visits show who is afraid of whom,” he said.

Mr. Raja claimed the DMK had fulfilled all its electoral promises except for its assurance to government employees (on restoring old pension scheme). “But the Chief Minister has constituted a committee to study their demands. We are not afraid of Modi or Amit Shah. Their ideology may win elections elsewhere, but the Dravidian ideology is an antidote to the BJP’s ideology. They cannot set foot in Tamil Nadu as long as the Dravidian ideology is alive,” he said.

When asked about the Lord Murugan conference (Murugan maanadu) being planned by the BJP in Madurai (on June 22), he charged that unlike the conference organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, the BJP’s motive was to incite communal sentiments against minorities.

“The people of Madurai do not accept their motives. Why has Mr. Amit Shah, who ranted about his love for Tamil, not answered why the Centre has not accepted the report on Keeladi (excavation)? Their mindset is against Tamils and the Dravidian ideology, and they will face the consequences in the 2026 Assembly elections. The visits of Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah only strengthened the DMK’s prospects,” Mr. Raja felt.

Published - June 09, 2025 02:36 pm IST