Chennai: Taking exception to Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's reported comments that he can relate to Pakistan more than South India, BJP's Tamil Nadu unit staged a demonstration here on Tuesday demanding action against the Congress leader for drawing such demeaning comparisons.
Leading the protest near the Chennai collectorate, BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned Sidhu's remarks and demanded his apology.
At a literature festival in Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh held recently, Sidhu had declared he can relate better with Pakistan than with South India and said for instance, he did not understand Tamil barring a one or two words like 'Vanakkam' when he visited Tamil Nadu and as for food, he would not be able to tolerate it for long; whereas, he felt at home in Pakistan in terms of language, food and culture.
"We condemn this. Congress minister Sidhu should apologise for insulting Tamil, its culture and people", thundered Tamilisai Sounderarajan at the BJP protest rally. "Why should Sidhu mock at our language and food by comparing it with Pakistan?" she asked.
She also hit out at DMK president M K Stalin, MDMK's Vaiko and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi's Thol Thirumavalavan for not taking on Sidhu-she was obviously linking the DMK's silence on this issue to the party's alliance with the ex-cricketer's Congress party .
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had taken a dig at Sidhu on Sunday, saying he should get himself inducted in Pakistan's Cabinet as he repeatedly exudes his love for the neighbouring country.
And the inimitable BJP MP, Dr Subramanian Swamy said Sidhu would not have made such a statement if only he had "even an iota of nationalism in him".
For all his love for Pakistan, the Punjab minister could be given a "one-way ticket" to that country, said Dr Swamy, adding, "We should encourage him, please go and live comfortably in Pakistan".
