Stalin warns Pradhan over Lok Sabha remarks.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly criticized Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over his remarks in the Lok Sabha, accusing him of deceiving the state by withholding funds while calling Tamil Nadu MPs uncivilized. In a sharp social media post, Stalin questioned Pradhan’s stance, highlighting the Centre’s alleged neglect of Tamil Nadu’s financial needs. The Chief Minister’s statement has intensified the ongoing political rift between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the BJP-led central government. This war of words underscores broader tensions over federal allocations and governance, with Stalin demanding greater respect and fair treatment for the state’s representatives in Parliament.
Chennai, March 11, 2025: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has come down heavily on Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan over his controversial remarks in the Lok Sabha about Tamil Nadu MPs, questioning whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed such statements that allegedly insulted the people of the State.
Pradhan’s comments, which triggered a political storm, were made during a heated parliamentary debate on Monday, March 10, 2025. His remarks, deemed offensive by opposition leaders, were met with immediate backlash from MPs representing Tamil Nadu, compelling him to withdraw them later in the day. However, the retraction did little to douse the fire, as Stalin and several other political leaders in the State continued to express their outrage.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, Stalin condemned the minister’s remarks as an affront to the dignity of Tamil Nadu and its representatives. The Union government must clarify whether such derogatory statements have the approval of the Prime Minister himself,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of consistently disregarding the sentiments and rights of the southern States, particularly Tamil Nadu. “Time and again, we have seen the Centre’s apathy towards Tamil Nadu—be it in financial allocations, policy decisions, or cultural matters. Now, a Union Minister has gone to the extent of making disparaging remarks in Parliament itself. This exposes the BJP’s attitude towards our State,” Stalin added.
Pradhan’s remarks reportedly involved a critical take on the role of Tamil Nadu MPs in national politics, insinuating that their approach was disruptive rather than constructive. Opposition parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress, and Left parties, staged protests both inside and outside Parliament, demanding a public apology from the minister.
Senior DMK leader and Lok Sabha MP T.R. Baalu termed the remarks “outrageous and unacceptable,” asserting that Tamil Nadu’s representatives had always been at the forefront of progressive politics in India. “Our MPs have contributed immensely to shaping India’s legislative framework. Any attempt to belittle them will not be tolerated,” Baalu said.
The controversy has also sparked reactions from other regional parties. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko accused the BJP of attempting to stifle Tamil Nadu’s voice in national affairs. They want to suppress States that refuse to toe their line. Tamil Nadu has always resisted such centralization, and we will continue to do so,” Vaiko asserted.
Meanwhile, the AIADMK, despite being ideologically opposed to the DMK, also expressed its discontent over the incident. AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) urged the Union government to ensure that its ministers refrain from making comments that hurt the sentiments of any State. “Such statements only deepen the divide between the Centre and the States. The Union Minister should issue a formal apology,” EPS stated.
Chidambaram questioned the BJP’s approach towards federalism and regional representation. “This incident reflects the BJP’s dismissive attitude towards non-Hindi-speaking States. Will the Prime Minister take responsibility and rein in his ministers from making such irresponsible statements?” Chidambaram asked.
As the controversy raged, BJP spokespersons sought to downplay the incident, arguing that Pradhan had already withdrawn his remarks and that the issue was being politicized unnecessarily. The minister has retracted his words, and that should be the end of the matter,” said BJP leader and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
However, Stalin remained firm in his demand for accountability. “Mere withdrawal of remarks is not enough. We need to know whether the Prime Minister stands by his minister or if he is willing to take action,” he insisted.
Political analysts believe that this controversy could have broader implications, particularly in the run-up to the upcoming general elections. “Tamil Nadu has always been a stronghold of regional parties, and incidents like these further alienate the BJP from the electorate here. The DMK and other regional parties will likely use this issue to rally support against the BJP,” said political analyst N. Sathyanarayana.
The coming days are expected to see further political mobilization in Tamil Nadu, with parties planning protests and public meetings to condemn the remarks. With tensions escalating, the Centre may be forced to step in to contain the damage. The bigger question, however, remains: Will Prime Minister Modi break his silence on the issue?
As Tamil Nadu waits for an official response from the Centre, the controversy continues to fuel the State’s political discourse, reinforcing the longstanding friction between regional aspirations and central authority in India’s federal framework.