Uphold PM’s dignity, stop targeting Tamils: Stalin to PM Modi

Slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks that Biharis are being harassed by the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday reminded him that he is the Prime Minister of the entire country and should uphold the dignity of his office rather than making divisive comments for electoral gains.

Stalin described the Prime Minister’s remarks as “reckless” and politically motivated ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

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In a post on X, Stalin wrote: “Narendra Modi often forgets that he holds the high office of Hon’ble Prime Minister for all the people of this country. By making such remarks, he should not belittle or lose the dignity and responsibility of the office. It pains and agonises me as a Tamil.”

He further accused the BJP of targeting Tamils across India for political advantage, “Be it Odisha or Bihar, wherever they go, the BJP continues to spew spiteful vengeance against Tamils for electoral gains. I strongly condemn this as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”

Stalin urged the Prime Minister and the BJP to end “cheap politics” that sow enmity among communities, and said, “India, the great nation that prides itself on its pluralism and unity in diversity, the Prime Minister and the BJP should stop the cheap politics of fostering enmity among Hindus and Muslims and creating hatred between Tamils and the people of Bihar and focus on the interest of the country.”

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also joined the criticism, accusing PM Modi of promoting hate politics rooted in RSS ideology.

“This is his (Modi’s) political DNA. While thousands of brethren from Bihar are working peacefully in Tamil Nadu, the PM has spoken to foment division and enmity against them,” Tagore wrote on X, welcoming Stalin’s strong response and urging protection of India’s unity and pluralism.

The controversy echoes incidents from February 2023, when fake videos alleging attacks on Bihari workers in Tamil Nadu went viral ahead of a visit by then Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Officials from Bihar also visited the state and enquired from workers to ascertain the truth. Investigations were conducted and cases were filed against those responsible, including media outlets like Dainik Bhaskar.