DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran sparked a new controversy as he engaged in a war of words with BJP leaders, comparing members of the party's IT wing to "jobless barbers" on Saturday. This exchange follows weeks after the resurfacing of an old video featuring Maran, where he made comments about Hindi speakers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
In the video dating back four years, the DMK MP remarked that "Hindi speakers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar clean toilets in Tamil Nadu," leading to a significant controversy with BJP leaders asserting that Maran had insulted North Indians.
In response to queries regarding the BJP leaders' reactions, Maran, on Saturday, asserted that the BJP IT Wing members were attempting to create a disturbance and likened them to "jobless barbers."
He stated, "Jobless barbers catch hold of cats and shave its fur. Similarly, BJP IT Wing, especially national-level IT Wing members want to create a ruckus using anything," elaborating on his comparison.
The comment made by Maran drew condemnation from Tamil Nadu BJP leaders, who argued that he had insulted barbers. BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai criticized Maran, accusing the DMK MP of excelling in "degrading someone's profession or language."
Taking to X, Annamalai expressed, "Instead of apologizing, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran calls those spreading and reacting to his rants on our North Indian brothers and sisters the work of a 'Jobless Barber.'"
Adding to the criticism, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla rebuked Maran, asserting that the DMK MP displayed an "elitist and casteist mindset" with his remark. Poonawalla directed his comment towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning whether this statement aligns with the concept of 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan,' particularly in light of Rahul Gandhi's recent engagements with various professions.
