Livid Over "China Flag On Indian Rocket" Ad, PM Modi Urges Tamil Nadu To "Punish The DMK"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a scathing critique of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leadership in Tamil Nadu over an advertisement, which inadvertently featured a rocket bearing the Chinese flag symbol alongside an announcement for a new Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spaceport. Accusing the DMK leaders of undermining India”s remarkable accomplishments, particularly in the realm of space exploration, PM Modi labelled the ad as “an insult to our scientists.”
The advertisement, initially intended to commemorate the foundation stone laying ceremony of the ISRO spaceport in Kulasekarapattinam, was marred by the glaring inclusion of a computer-generated rocket adorned with the Chinese national flag. This oversight prompted swift condemnation from the BJP, with PM Modi leading the charge against the ruling DMK.
Speaking at a rally in Tirunelveli, PM Modi accused the DMK of glorifying China and denigrating Indian scientists and their contributions to the nation”s space sector.
“First they are not ready to accept ISRO’s achievements and feel happy about it. Rather than sharing it with the world, they insulted our scientists and space sector engineers with the money garnered from taxpayers,” he said.
PM Modi lambasted the DMK for its alleged lack of cooperation with Central government initiatives and its contentious behavior during parliamentary proceedings, including the discussion on the Ayodhya Shri Ram temple. He characterised the DMK”s actions as egregious, asserting that they had gone as far as affixing stickers of the Chinese flag onto ISRO advertisements to wrongfully claim credit for the project.
He then highlighted the DMK”s history of appropriating credit for governmental schemes and projects, condemning their latest transgression as a blatant affront to India”s space achievements and a misuse of taxpayer funds.
“DMK is such a party which doesn”t do any work but goes ahead to take false credit. Who doesn”t know that these people put their stickers on our schemes? Now they have crossed the limit, they have pasted stickers of China to take credit for the Isro launch pad in Tamil Nadu,” PM Modi said.
“They are not ready to see the progress of India”s space and with the taxes that you pay, they give advertisements and do not even include a picture of India”s space in it,” he added.
PM Modi also accused the DMK and its ally, the Congress party, for sowing seeds of division and perpetuating dynastic politics. He urged the people of Tamil Nadu to hold the DMK accountable for its actions, and said, “Now, it is the time to punish the DMK for its deeds.”
BJP State President K Annamalai also targeted the DMK over controversial advertisement in a strongly worded statement on social media. Accusing the DMK of aligning itself with China”s interests, Annamalai asserted, “DMK, a party flighing high on corruption, has been desperate to paste stickers ever since the announcement of ISRO’s second launch pad in Kulasekarapatinam was released.”
In response to the controversy, Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi acknowledged the error, but attributed to the designer”s oversight. She also argued that India has not designated China as an “enemy country,” citing past diplomatic engagements between Indian and Chinese leaders.
The DMK leader told reporters, “I don”t know from where the person who did the artwork, found this picture from. I don”t think India has declared China as an enemy country. I have seen that the Prime Minister has invited the Chinese PM and they have gone to Mahabalipuram. Just because you do not want to accept the truth, you are finding reasons to divert the issue.”
