TNCC holds black flag protests against Amit Shah

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee protests against Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar and Union Government's anti-Tamil Nadu policies.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai led black flag protests on Friday against Home Minister Amit Shah condemning his remarks on B.R. Ambedkar in the parliament, besides slamming the Union Government for its anti-Tamil Nadu policies. Mr. Amit Shah was in Chennai to finalise his party’s alliance with the AIADMK.

Speaking at the protest, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said that the rights of Tamil Nadu were being denied and the Union Government was acting against the interests of the people of the State.

“Mr. Shah speaks against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Union Education Minister is refusing to release ₹2,350-crore funds to the State unless it agrees to implement the National Education Policy and the three-language formula. The Chief Minister has said ‘even if you refuse to give ₹10,000 crore, the State government will not give up on Tamil Nadu’s rights’. The GST dues, disaster relief due to us, 60-40 share between the Centre-State is not being adhered to...,” Mr. Selvaperunthagai charged.

He said the Congress leaders would raise their voice against Mr. Shah. “The Congress, the DMK and the INDIA bloc have been speaking in one voice,” Mr. Selvaperunthagai said.

Tamil Nadu Congress leader Peter Alphonse said, “In Rajasthan, the Congress legislative party leader belongs to the Dalit community. He goes to a temple and offers prayers. The local BJP leader...who was also a former MLA, proceeds to wash the temple with water because it had become ‘unclean’. This is BJP’s culture.”

“The MPs from Manipur were in tears on the AICC stage – as for three years, there have been no schools, colleges, hospitals, transport facilities, hundreds have died and hundreds of women have had their modesty attacked. But, neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister have taken any action,” he alleged.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Sri Lanka but neither have the arrested fishermen returned nor had their boats been released. Union Home Minister hasn’t gone to meet the fishermen. If Dalits get attacked, he won’t go. If fishermen are affected, he won’t go. But, he will come only to ensure that the alliance is finalised. If the negotiations don’t go as planned, he will threaten the political parties,” the Congress leader said.