TN: Smriti Irani Asks Rahul Gandhi And Congress To Condemn DMK Minister EV Velu's 'India Is Some Place In North India' Remark

Smriti Irani, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development today (9 August) asked Rahul Gandhi and the Congress if they had the courage to condemn the remarks of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) minister EV Velu who had said "India is some place in north India" and advocated a separate Dravida Nadu.

As per the subtitles in a video clip shared by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai, Velu was heard saying, "What is the state today? The word India never had any impact on us. When has India had impact among us? I'm making an open statement. There wasn't any such impact on us. I'm talking about sometime ago. Where did we have an impact? There was no impact.

"India is some place in north India. We belong to Tamil Nadu. If possible we have to create a Dravida Nadu. Our thought process was going in that direction."

Speaking in Parliament, Smriti Irani said, "There is a member in these people's alliance who said in Tamil Nadu that the meaning of India is just north India. If Rahul Gandhi has the courage let him come and condemn the statement of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) member.

Further, she said, "I want to ask the Gandhi family and the Congress party if they also think that India is only north India. If you have the courage and belief in Hindustan, then give a befitting reply to your alliance partner."