Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : ‘Table cleaners’: Panneerselvam’s remarks on North Indians sparks row; leaders react and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
The controversy was triggered by comments from DMK Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam at a public event, where he said migrants from North India come to Tamil Nadu because they “only know Hindi” and lack job opportunities in their home states. He contrasted this with Tamil Nadu’s youth, saying they learn English, go abroad and “earn in crores.”
The remarks were seized upon by the BJP, which accused the DMK of mocking migrant workers and fuelling social divisions. The BJP added that no job was inferior and alleged that DMK leaders had repeatedly derided North Indian migrants and Hindi speakers.
Calling the comments “reckless and dangerous,” the BJP linked them to what it claimed was a rise in violence against migrant workers in the state, and questioned the silence of leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
As the row grew, senior DMK leaders sought to distance the party from the remarks. DMK MP T R Baalu said Panneerselvam’s statement had been “quoted incorrectly” and reiterated the party’s long-standing opposition to what it calls “Hindi imposition,” dating back to the Dravidian movement under C N Annadurai.
With the Assembly elections months away, the controversy has injected fresh heat into Tamil Nadu’s campaign narrative, bringing language politics, migrant labour, and North–South tensions back to the centre of the political battle between the DMK and the BJP.Reactions from party leaders:
The remarks also drew reactions from leaders across parties outside Tamil Nadu. Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad described the statement as “poor” and said it insulted North India, pointing out that the region had produced more than half of the country’s Prime Ministers. “This is an insult. I condemn this statement,” he said.
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said Tamil Nadu’s economy depended on workers from other states and that they were welcome and safe in the state. Calling the comment “irresponsible,” he said migrant labour was a reflection of the strength of Tamil Nadu’s economy and warned against “flippant” remarks in a sensitive political climate.
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said every individual — from labourers to entrepreneurs and industrialists — played an important role in the country’s economy, and that all contributions must be respected. He said inclusive growth was essential as India worked towards its “Viksit Bharat 2047” goal.
JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha said migrant workers from North India, particularly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, had strengthened economies wherever they worked across the country. He added that people from southern states and other regions also migrated globally for employment, underscoring the interdependence of India’s workforce.
Echoing similar views, BJP MP Darshan Singh said India’s cultural diversity was its strength, and criticised the remarks as unnecessary. “From north to south and east to west, there is diversity across the nation. Statements like these are ridiculous and should not be made,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)