Controversy over DMK MP’s ‘disparaging reference’

The controversy over Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP D.N.V. Senthilkumar’s disparaging reference to the Hindi-speaking states continued to simmer, forcing at least one adjournment of the House, despite a formal apology tendered by the MP on the floor of the Lok Sabha.

During Tuesday’s Lok Sabha debate on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, Mr. Senthilkumar made some objectionable references to the Hindi-speaking States, which were later expunged from the record.

A day later, Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi demanded that T.R. Baalu, the DMK’s leader in the Lok Sabha, should first apologize for Mr. Kumar’s remarks from the previous day.

“Baalu ji should apologize first for the kind of remarks made by the DMK member. How can the House run like this? How can any member make any remarks and walk away,” Mr. Goyal said as other BJP members joined him in protest.

As the din continued, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House proceedings for 20 minutes till noon. When the House resumed, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asked whether Mr. Baalu and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi agreed with the comments.

“Statement made by Senthilkumar was not correct. [Tamil Nadu Chief Minister] M.K. Stalin has warned the particular member,” Mr. Baalu responded.

Soon after, Mr. Kumar, who had posted an apology on X (formerly Twitter) the previous night, also expressed his regret, saying that his remarks had been made “inadvertently” and that “if they have hurt the sentiments of people,” he “withdraws them”.