A Raja, a DMK member from Tamil Nadu, seemed to stir up calls for a “separate Tamil Nadu” on Sunday, courting yet another controversy. Many members of the Opposition criticised the remarks for encouraging separatist ideas. Even more shocking was the fact that MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was there when the comment was made.

Raja urged the Center to give the DMK local body employees authority while speaking at a function for them in Namakkal. We won’t give up till Tamil Nadu is granted state autonomy.

He said that Periyar, the group’s spiritual head, supported Tamil Nadu’s secession from India. For the sake of India’s democracy and unity, we have so far ignored that demand. I implore the Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to refrain from pressuring us to resurrect the demand. Give us state autonomy, please,” he pleaded.

He said that the Center had neglected his demand both fiscally and in terms of job chances. Tamils won’t experience economic progress or have access to work until they are in India, he claimed.

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