DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday came down on the BJP government at the Centre, alleging that it “seeks to create an imaginary India by neglecting the States.”
“The Constitution says that India is a Union of States,” he said, while addressing a public meeting to explain the State Budget to people. India derived its strength from unity in diversity and the DMK also had the responsibility to save the country’s pluralism and secularism.
“Other States are following Tamil Nadu’s ideas of social justice and State autonomy. Leaders from other States are also speaking up for the rights of regional languages. I take a pledge to sow the seeds of the idea of the Dravidian model across the country,” he said.
Financial crisis
Pointing out that Tamil Nadu is gripped by a huge financial crisis, he said the Centre should fulfil the financial requirements of a State, when it was necessary.
“The Union government should immediately release thousands of crores of rupees, due to Tamil Nadu. I made a strong case for funds when I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Finance Minister. But I did not plead with my mouth shut and folded hands. I placed it as a rightful demand. Our MPs also have raised it in both the houses of Parliament,” he said.
Hindi ‘imposition’
Recalling Home Minister Amit Shah’s argument that Indians should speak to one another in Hindi instead of English, Mr. Stalin said he had already responded to him. “I asked whether he needed only Hindi-speaking States. All other leaders and personalities have objected to him. Our language and culture are unique and have a history. To uphold their power, they try to renew the old story of imposition of Hindi. They cannot take us for granted with their bundle of lies. We have seen them in the past and demolished their lies with our rational ideas,” he said.
Explaining that the Dravidian model of government was an “inclusive government, aiming at inclusive growth”, Mr. Stalin said those who were against the idea of inclusiveness were opposing the DMK government.
“But I am not bothered even slightly by them. The DMK emerged victorious by facing them. It has seen more powerful enemies than the present ones. Even while in power, the DMK cadres have the valour of an Opposition. Even if we are a ruling party, we will not hesitate to fight for the rights and dues of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
