"Very unfortunate choice of words": Karti Chidambaram demands apology from DMK MP on 'Gaumutra States' remarks

New Delhi: Reacting to the 'Gaumutra States' jibe at BJP made by DMK MP DNV Senthilkumar S, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday demanded an apology from the Lok Sabha parliamentarian and said that the choice of his words were unfortunate.

DMK MP earlier today in a Lok Sabha debate said that BJP can only win in Hindi Heartland states and referred to them as 'Gaumutra states'.

In a post on X, Lok Sabha MP from Sivaganga, Karti Chidambaram said, "Very unfortunate choice of words. Unparliamentary. Dr Senthil must forthwith apologize and withdraw his comments."

Earlier today, taking a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party after its resounding victories in the Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, DMK MP DNV Senthilkumar said, "Union Territories always look toward becoming States. But this is the first case where a state has become a Union Territory. BJP has just won many of the state elections. When they are not able to win a state they make it a Union Territory where they can have control over the governor and can run governance through them. If they were confident of a win there they would have not made it."

"So people of this country should think that the power of the BJP is winning elections mainly in the heartland states of Hindi and what we generally call as the 'Gaumutra states'," he added.

Moreover, former Congress MP Milind Deora said that DMK must realise that its remarks only weaken the INDIA Alliance's efforts in challenging the BJP in the Hindi heartland.

"Very unfortunate to witness an Indian MP making derogatory statements against #GauMata & Sanatana Dharma culture revered by over 1 billion Indians. Many, including myself, consider ourselves Sanatanis. DMK must realise that its reckless remarks only weaken the INDIA Alliance's efforts in challenging the BJP in the Hindi heartland. India is one, and there is no place for a North-South divide," Milind Deora posted on X.

Responding to this remark, Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi said that DMK will soon get to know the benefits of 'Gaumutra' as they will realize going ahead that people are not going to tolerate those who are disrespecting the sentiments of 'Sanatan Dharma'.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Meenakashi Lekhi said, "I think that is a disrespect of the 'Sanatani' tradition. DMK will soon get to know the benefits of 'Gaumutra'. They are very well aware that this will not be tolerated by the people of the country. Anyone who tries to play with the sentiments of the country will get a befitting reply from the public."

Congress lost in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to the BJP and also failed to dislodge the BJP government from Madhya Pradesh. However, it was able to register victory in Telangana. (ANI)