The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned the Congress party and its allies in the DMK-led coalition for what they term as “political hypocrisy” and “anti-national conduct.” The criticism comes in response to protests in Chennai mourning the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in US-Israel strikes. The BJP spokesperson expressed concerns over the demonstrations held on March 1 and 2, stating that they displayed a misguided political agenda that goes against India’s national interests.
The BJP representative highlighted the irresponsibility of certain protest groups attempting to march towards the United States Consulate in Chennai during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu. The party emphasized that such actions risked disrupting public order and were deemed inappropriate, potentially harming India’s global reputation. Additionally, the BJP accused the Congress leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, of making statements that could undermine the Indian government’s stance on the West Asia situation.
The BJP spokesperson underscored Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic engagements with leaders from various Gulf nations, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, to ensure the safety of Indian citizens amidst escalating tensions in West Asia. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing the protection of Indians abroad. Precautionary measures have already been initiated to assist Indian nationals in affected regions, with the recent safe return of 149 Indians from Dubai and the relocation of Indian students in Tehran under embassy supervision.
The BJP criticized opposition parties and certain groups for what they perceive as selective outrage in organizing protests, particularly in comparison to responses to other international incidents involving civilian violence. The party called upon the DMK government in Tamil Nadu to uphold law and order, preventing protests from escalating into actions that could jeopardize diplomatic institutions or communal harmony. The BJP reaffirmed its solidarity with the Union government’s diplomatic initiatives and stressed the importance of national unity during international crises affecting Indian citizens abroad.
