New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday rejected accusations made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a "full-scale attack" on Tamil language and culture, counter-charging the Congress leader with attempting to divide the country along linguistic and regional lines.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi asserted that Tamil language and heritage have received unprecedented promotion and respect during Prime Minister Modi's tenure, both nationally and internationally.

Trivedi’s response followed remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in Chennai during the sixth edition of his Chhatron Ki Goonj outreach initiative—his first in southern India. Gandhi had alleged that the central government was attacking Tamil history, traditions, and language, while further claiming that the upcoming delimitation exercise was designed to "punish" Tamil Nadu and reduce its parliamentary representation.

Slamming Gandhi's address, Trivedi criticised the opposition leader’s rhetoric:

"Burning with jealousy and crippled by frustration, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has once again attempted to level baseless, reckless and unfounded allegations against our government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai."

The BJP MP further alleged that the Congress leader’s comments were part of a deliberate attempt to sow discord:

"The Congress leader is trying to create a divide between the North and South on the lines of language," Trivedi charged, accusing Gandhi of trying to plunge the nation into "anarchy and divisiveness."

Citation of cultural initiatives

Defending the Modi administration's record, Trivedi highlighted several governmental initiatives aimed at honoring Tamil heritage:

  • Parliamentary Symbols: He noted the placement of the sacred Sengol in the new Parliament building in 2023, pointing out that "when the sacred Sengol was placed in the new Parliament building as a revered symbol of eternal Tamil culture in 2023, the Congress opposed it."

  • Historical Monuments: He recalled the Prime Minister’s announcement last year to construct grand statues honoring Chola emperors Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola I in Tamil Nadu.

  • Academic and Cultural Support: He cited the establishment of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai, the retrieval of Chola copper plates from The Hague, and the creation of the Subramania Bharati Chair at Banaras Hindu University.

  • International Outreach: Trivedi noted that "recently you might have seen that Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented (a copy of the Russian translation of) Thirukkural, the most respected Tamil literature, to President Vladimir Putin."

Response to emergency comparisons

Trivedi also dismissed Congress allegations that India is experiencing an "undeclared Emergency" under the present government, contrasting current political freedom with the 1975 Emergency imposed under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi:

"Today, sitting here, you say whatever comes to mind about the prime minister, making baseless and reckless remarks. If you merely said in a public place that Indira Gandhi government must be removed (during the Congress rule), you were jailed with no right to apply for bail."

"Comparing a one-kilometer barricading (in Delhi) to the imposition of Emergency by the Indira Gandhi government is a mockery of democracy and like rubbing salt into the wounds of those who fought against it," Trivedi added. (PTI)