The Aryavarth Express New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday strongly condemned controversial remarks made by a Tamil Nadu minister who allegedly referred to North Indians as “pani puri sellers” and “table cleaners,” calling the comments insulting, divisive, and disrespectful to migrant workers.
The remarks were made by Tamil Nadu Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam during a public event in Chengalpattu district, where he drew comparisons between employment opportunities for people from northern states and those from Tamil Nadu. The minister suggested that individuals from Hindi-speaking regions migrate to Tamil Nadu for low-paid jobs due to what he described as “Hindi-only education,” while Tamil Nadu youth, educated in Tamil and English, secure jobs abroad.
Reacting sharply from New Delhi, the BJP accused the ruling DMK of repeatedly making derogatory comments about North Indians and migrant labourers. In a post on social media platform X, the party said such statements undermine the dignity of labour and promote regional hatred.
“Mocking North Indian migrants as table cleaners or pani puri sellers reflects a deeply regressive mindset. In today’s India, people from every state work across the country with dignity. No job is small, and no Indian is inferior,” the BJP said.
The party further alleged that such rhetoric could fuel social tensions and embolden attacks on migrant workers. BJP leaders demanded an unconditional public apology from the minister and questioned the silence of the DMK leadership over what they termed as “repeated anti-migrant remarks.”
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran also slammed the statement, saying it was against the inclusive spirit of the state and violated the constitutional principle of equality. He urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to clarify whether the DMK endorsed such views.
In response, DMK leaders defended the minister, claiming his remarks were taken out of context and reiterating the party’s opposition to what it calls “Hindi imposition.” The DMK maintained that it respects all forms of labour and migrant communities, stating that the comment was meant to highlight the importance of multilingual education rather than demean any group.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with language, identity, and migrant labour issues increasingly dominating political discourse.
