Tamil Nadu Will Never Accept BJP's Ram And 'Bharat Mata': DMK Leader A Raja

In a fresh controversy, DMK MP A Raja on Tuesday said that Tamil Nadu would "never accept the BJP's ideology of Jai Shri Ram and Bharat Mata", India Today reported.

Speaking at a public event in Madurai, the former minister said, "Based on their (BJP) explanation, if you say it's this God, this is Jai Sri Ram, this is Bharat Mata ki Jai, then we and Tamil Nadu will never accept Bharat Mata and Jai Shri Ram."

"Who is the enemy of Ram? My Tamil teacher said that Ram went to the forest with Sita. He accepted a hunter, he also accepted Sugriva and Vibhishan as brothers. There was no caste or creed there. I don't know the Ramayana or Ram, I don't believe in it," he added.

He further stated, "India is not a country but a subcontinent". "One country means one language, one tradition and one culture. India is not a country but a sub-continent," Raja added.

"If a community eats beef, acknowledge it. If someone eats dog meat in Manipur, it is in their culture. What is your problem? Did they ask you to eat?" he claimed.

The former union minister said that PM Modi has claimed that the DMK will cease to exit after the Lok Sabha polls. "If DMK is not there after the elections, there won't be India," Raja added.

He continued, "They want to throw away this Constitution. Why did I say India wouldn't be there? If you come to power again, the Constitution won't be there. If the Constitution is not there, India won't be there. If India is not there, Tamil Nadu wouldn't stay as Tamil Nadu and we would secede. Does India want this?"

His comments have met with strong reactions.

Meanwhile, Amit Malviya, the head of BJP's IT cell, slammed Raja over his comments.

He said, "The hate speeches from DMK's stable continue unabated. After Udhayanidhi Stalin's call to annihilate Sanatan Dharma, it is now A Raja who calls for balkanisation of India, derides Bhagwan Ram, makes disparaging comments on Manipuris and questions the idea of India, as a nation.

Congress and other I.N.D.I Alliance partners are quiet. Rahul Gandhi, their putative Prime Ministerial candidate's silence is eloquent."

This is not the first time where A Raja has made such controversial comments. A few months ago, A Raja claimed "Hindu religion is a menace."