A huge political row has erupted following the ‘Gaumutra Remarks’ by DMK Lok Sabha MP DNV Senthil Kumar’s followed by some Opposition leaders on the North-South divide remarks with the Centre taking exception to the comments by accusing the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to insult Indian culture and identity, instead of analysing the reasons for its defeat in the elections.

The BJP asked if DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has asked party leaders, who had spoken against Sanatan Dharma, to also apologise after MP DNV Senthil Kumar expressed regret in Lok Sabha for referring to Hindi heartland States in a derogatory manner in the House.

Others political parties from the Opposition were yet to react on the statement though the Congress has distanced itself and said they do not buy such irresponsible comments by their southern India alliance partner.  “The Congress believes in Sanatan Dharma and Gau Mata, we don’t agree with DMK’s statements,” said Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Shukla.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur questioned the silence of former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on the issue and wondered whether the remarks on the North-South divide, reference to North India as “gaumutra States” and criticism of Sanatan Dharma had their sanction.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ but the Opposition has started using foul language and blaming the EVMs and regionalism for their loss in the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh,” the Union Minister said at a Press conference.

Senthil on Wednesday apologised in the Lok Sabha for his controversial ‘North-South divide’ remark which sparked a backlash. Kumar had on Tuesday used a defamatory word to describe Hindi heartland States while attacking the ruling BJP. His comments led to ruckus and adjournment in the House, and were expunged by Speaker Om Birla later. MPs from the ruling BJP on Wednesday also created a ruckus over the issue, and the House witnessed a brief adjournment during the Question Hour over the issue.

 “The Congress doesn’t believe in constitutional institutions. After facing defeat, they never analyse the reason for the defeat. They keep blaming EVMs and insult Sanatan Dharma, Hindus and Hindu culture,” said Thakur, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister. He said during the election campaign, the Congress raised the issues of casteism and religion, and when it did not work the Opposition party was now resorting to a North-South divide.

Senthil’s comments come in the backdrop of some referring to the recent Assembly election results as reflective of the ‘North-South divide’ after the BJP trounced the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and the Congress won in Telangana. “What is the Congress’ compulsion to stick with the DMK which has been insulting Hindi, Hindus and Sanatana Dharma,” Thakur wondered. The Minister recalled that even Chief Minister-designate of Telangana A Revanth Reddy had made comments that his “Telangana DNA was better than the Bihar DNA” of his rivals. Thakur said Stalin and his son Udhaynidhi had also made remarks insulting Sanatana Dharma. Thakur claimed the trend of fuelling a North-South divide started with Rahul’s defeat in the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi in 2019.

Rahul had made certain statements demeaning north Indians in his Lok Sabha seat of Wayanad after his electoral defeat in Amethi, Thakur alleged, adding the Congress leader had also made common cause with people who were keen to see India being divided into pieces. “We had said back then that someone was standing with the ‘tukde-tukde’ gang. Now, the insulting comments by Congress’ allies are sowing the seeds of dividing the country on regional lines. This reflects the real thinking of the Congress of divide and rule,” Thakur added.

In the Lok Sabha when the House reassembled for the Zero Hour, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal raised the issue, and asked if DMK leader TR Baalu, and Congress leader Rahul agree with the comments. Baalu said remarks made by Senthil were not correct. “Statement made by Senthil Kumar was not correct. MK Stalin has warned the particular member,” Baalu said. Soon after, addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also slammed the “silence” of Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on the “repeated objectionable remarks about Sanatan”.

 “I heard TR Baalu say today that Chief Minister Stalin has told MP Senthilkumar to not make such statements. But there is a question that has to be asked to Mr Baalu and (M K) Stalin. What about Udyanidhi Stalin’s statement? Has he (M K Stalin) advised Udhayanidhi Stalin to apologise? What about A Raja? Has he (DMK chief) advised A Raja to apologise?” the BJP leader said.

He alleged that the Opposition INDIA bloc parties have started a “new chapter of divisive politics” with North-South divide remarks as their efforts to drive a wedge on religious lines for votes did not work in the just-concluded Assembly polls.