Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin launched a sharp critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government on Saturday, accusing it of finding the constitutional principle of secularism "bitter." He made these remarks while participating in a Christmas celebration event organized in Tirunelveli.
Defending Secular Fabric and Minority Welfare
The event was organized by Trichy East MLA S Inigo Irudayaraj, who also heads the Christhuva Nallenna Iyakkam. Speaking at the gathering, Stalin emphasized the Dravidian model's commitment to inclusive governance. He listed various schemes implemented for minority welfare under his government's rule and revealed a significant recent decision.
Stalin announced he had just signed a Government Order (GO) ensuring that only representatives from minority educational institutions would sit on teacher selection committees for those institutions. This move, he stated, was aimed at safeguarding the interests and autonomy of minority institutions.
A Warning Against Divisive Forces
The Chief Minister expressed concern over attempts to disrupt Tamil Nadu's longstanding social harmony. "Many people are contemplating how to disrupt peace in Tamil Nadu, divide people living harmoniously, and make them enemies," he said. He warned that the state's people have recognized that the path some organizations advocate in the name of spirituality often leads to violence.
He painted a vivid picture of Tamil Nadu's syncretic culture, where communities actively participate in each other's festivals and traditions. "This sense of brotherhood and rationality is our Tamil Nadu," Stalin asserted. He framed the Dravidian model's governance as a testament to the Christian ideal of 'everything for everyone.'
Direct Accusations Against the BJP-Led Centre
Stalin's speech took a direct political turn as he accused the Union government of posing a direct threat to religious minorities. He contrasted his party's stance with that of the opposition AIADMK, noting that the DMK strongly opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), while the AIADMK supported it.
"BJP finds the word secularism itself bitter and is keen to remove it from the Constitution," he alleged. He framed the BJP's vision as a destructive plan to erase India's diversity in favor of a monolithic nation based on "one religion, one language, one culture, one election, one party, one leader."
Stalin declared that the BJP is attempting to implement this plan in Tamil Nadu as well but vowed strong resistance. "Tamil Nadu and DMK have the strength to oppose and thwart any destructive plans of the BJP," he stated confidently.
On Electoral Rolls and Event Attendees
Addressing a practical concern, the CM also spoke about the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He assured that DMK party cadres would assist citizens in getting their names added back if they had been wrongly removed from the voter lists.
The Christmas celebration was attended by several dignitaries, including Assembly Speaker M Appavu and the state minorities commission chairman, S Peter Alphonse, alongside various religious leaders.
