TN Minister Sekar Babu stirs controversy: 'North Indians empowered by Dravidian parties, still vote for BJP'

The Foodbank event at Chennai turned into a North Indian and South Indian debate as Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board Minister, Sekar Babu, referred to a particular community for not voting for DMK. The minister said, despite DMK's work and appeal, votes are given to BJP.

The minister at the event was referring to the North Indian community settled in North Chennai and harbour areas in Chennai.

The minister was visibly upset with a particular community for not voting the Dravidian party despite appeals from 2014 general elections and said that, "if they (North Indians) don't vote for them (Dravidian parties) they will still be taken care of.

The minister's statement has kicked up a row in the state as opposition particularly BJP has chanced upon and condemned the minister's remark.

BJP's face in Tamil Nadu now, Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan condemned this attitude of the minister and took to Twitter to post her reaction. “The hatred spewed by Minister Sekar Babu against North Indians are condemnable and disturbing. To see elected officials discriminate against Indians on the basis of their native roots is against every grain and soul of our constitution,” she wrote.

What did the minister exactly say?

At the event organized by Mahavir International Chennai Metro, Sekar Babu said,"Sisters and brothers from North Indian roots, people say when you are hungry all your characteristics will go away. Good is beyond anyone's caste and language. It is very much essential for human survival and no one can deny this. Due to this reason (Food bank event) you invited us. It is said among all kinds of donations 'food' donation is of highest order. Even though you don't vote for us because of your charitable work, we will always support you and I would like to assure you that at this point in time. As far as I am concerned, I have been living here for the last 40 years and many North Indian friends have improved economically and the reason for that is the Dravidian parties' rule in Tamil Nadu. The welfare of your livelihood, your social status, and your economic status are not because of the BJP. Only Dravidian parties are responsible for this. For some mysterious reason, you are supporting that party.

Our MP (Dayanidhi Maran) would say, they don't vote for us and why do you struggle so much for them. They are also sons of this soil. An elected representative will represent those who voted and not voted for them. Similarly, CM represents everyone."

"The CM's work is for everyone and we work on that thought and are working for you (North Indian's settled in TN). In Harbour (assembly) tough people still live outside but have registered as Assembly voters.

In 2014, our MP Dayanidhi Maran and I were election in-charge here. Even during that time, we did not get many votes from you. Similarly in Assembly elections, I contested as MLA and even during that time, we did not get many votes from you. It's ok, we still worked for you. And in many places when you faced issues during house constructions, without any expectations we worked for you.

Again in the 2019 general elections, when Dayanidhi Maran was elected and the place where you are in large numbers, we did expect votes. It's ok, our MP and we have still worked for you. I am telling you all this because you did not vote for us. Again now in the 2021 elections, I appealed to you saying you did not vote for us in 2014 (Lok Sabha), 2016 (assembly) and did not vote in 2019 (Lok Sabha) and begged with folded hands at least vote for us this time, but..in a place where you stay, I am telling you openly that we got only 50 votes and BJP got about 300 to 350 votes. And when we ask you people, you say we voted for you."

Now no one knew from which area how many votes were polled. But with the advanced system, if you press the EVM buttons, it will show how many votes were polled and show exactly which area voted. If we go by this (voting pattern) now, despite continuously working our MP and MLAs did not get many votes. That does not mean we will ignore you. No matter how much you ignore us, we will work for you as only Dravidian Munnetra Kazhagam can and our MP is there.

Proper punishment to those who have done evil (to you) is to shame them by showing kindness. (Couplet from Thirukkural) We will send a copy of the Thirukkural to you people in your language (Hindi).

We welcome good deeds, whoever does it.  We don't consider you people as outsiders. We consider you as people from our state. We regard you as one among us. I thank the Mahavir International Chennai Metro for organising this event. "

• BJP
• Chennai
• Controversy
• DMK
• Dravida Party
• Mahavir International
• North Indian
• Sekar Babu
• Tamil Nadu