The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday issued a strong condemnation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks made during an election rally in Bihar, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and attempting to sow division between Tamils and people from Bihar.The controversy erupted after the Prime Minister claimed that Bihari workers were being harassed in Tamil Nadu under the DMK government. In response, the Tamil Nadu government described the statement as “false, inflammatory, and unbecoming of the Prime Minister of India,” adding that such rhetoric only fuels hatred and divisiveness.
In a sharply worded statement, the government said, “Tamil Nadu — and India as a whole — will never accept the BJP’s hateful language and divisive politics.” The statement accused the Prime Minister of following a “disgraceful pattern” of insulting Tamils for political gain and diverting attention from key national issues.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a social media post, expressed deep anguish over the remarks. “It is deeply painful as a Tamilian to witness Thiru Narendra Modi frequently forgetting that he holds the esteemed post of Prime Minister for the entire nation. He should not lose the dignity of that position through such divisive remarks,” Stalin said.
He further charged that wherever the BJP goes—be it Odisha, Bihar, or elsewhere—it attempts to stir hatred for political advantage. “As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, I strongly condemn such acts of hostility. In a great and diverse India that celebrates unity in diversity, I urge the Prime Minister and the BJP to stop engaging in petty politics that fuel hatred between Hindus and Muslims, or between Tamils and Biharis, and instead focus on the welfare of the nation,” Stalin added.
The Tamil Nadu government also cited earlier instances where the BJP allegedly attempted to malign Tamils. It recalled that during the Odisha elections, Mr. Modi made a controversial remark implying that “Tamils were ruling Odisha like thieves,” referring to P.K. Pandian, a Tamil officer serving as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Private Secretary.
Refuting the Prime Minister’s Bihar speech, the government said that lakhs of North Indian workers live peacefully in Tamil Nadu, earning their livelihood and sending remittances to their families back home. “Tamil Nadu remains one of the most welcoming and safe states for migrant workers,” the statement emphasized.
The release also recounted the 2023 incident when the BJP’s social media ecosystem spread false claims that North Indian workers were attacked in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister Stalin personally intervened at that time to dispel the rumours by speaking directly to migrant workers, who confirmed that they were living peacefully. A North Indian YouTuber, Manish Kashyap, who spread those baseless rumours, was arrested for misinformation, it noted.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tamil Nadu extended comprehensive support to migrant workers, setting up assistance camps and facilitating special trains for those wishing to return to their native states.
The statement also highlighted other instances of divisive rhetoric by the Prime Minister, including his comment describing a Kolkata flyover collapse as an “act of God,” which the government said “insulted the victims of the tragedy.” It also criticized his remark that “rioters can be identified by the clothes they wear,” calling it a clear attempt to target Muslims.
Underscoring Tamil Nadu’s inclusive ethos, the government said the state has always been “a land that welcomes and uplifts all.” Citing a widely shared television interview, the statement mentioned a North Indian woman’s emotional testimony: “I came to Tamil Nadu carrying my sick child, unable to afford treatment in my home state. I received a ration card here and my child got free treatment worth lakhs under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme. Today, my child can speak. Tamil Nadu gave my child a new life.”