Nagaland Governor, State BJP wade into ‘dog-eaters’ remarks controversy

November 8, 2023 64 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 8

Nagaland Governor La Ganesan and State BJP unit today joined former Governor RN Ravi in censuring the “dog-eaters” remarks allegedly made by senior DMK leader RS Bharathi recent.

Condemning the same “unwarranted assumption,” the Governor stated that it was not only in “poor taste but also maligns our diverse and dignified culture.”

“Eating habits are a personal choice and do not define one’s character, dignity, or value. Hence, nobody should be insulted or disrespected based on such preferences,” he pointed out.

Reiterating that the Nagas are dignified and cultured people deeply committed to their rich cultural heritage, the Governor termed Bharathi’s statement as “an unfortunate generalisation” and appealld to the people of Nagaland to ignore this statement as it “does not reflect the real voice of the Tamil people.”

Meanwhile, during a press conference in Kohima, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland State Unit came out blazing against the ‘scathing remarks’ made by the senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader.

State BJP Vice President Er Kropol Vitsu called the alleged ‘dog-eaters’ remark as “racist attack” and reminded that the DMK leader that the “ethnicity and race of a community is never defined by its food habits.”

He also called the remarks violation of fundamental rights and also amounts to “committing sacrilege” to the people of Nagas.”

The State BJP also termed the reported Bharathi’s clarification that he was “only praising the Nagas” as adding “salt to injury.”

The Party would leave no stone unturned till he is punished as per the law of the land for the remarks, Er Vitsu asserted.

The present controversy has surfaced after former Nagaland Governor RN Ravi took to X, formely Twitter on November 5, alleging that Bharathi publicly insulted the Nagas by calling them as “dog eaters” and called it “scurrilous and unacceptable.”

“I urge Mr Bharathi not to hurt a community of which the whole of India is proud,” Ravi posted.

Meanwhile, as per the PTI news agency, Bharathi has dismissed Ravi’s allegation that he offended Nagas and asserted he did not make any comment critical of the north-eastern people.

“Speaking to reporters, Bharathi said Ravi could not understand the language and emphasised that nothing was said by him which was critical of the people of Nagaland,” the report stated.

In a video posted on X, the ANI news agency also quoted Bharathi as saying: “ We have not insulted them, in fact, we have praised them. My speech is being misinterpreted…he was sent back from Nagaland because during his tenure, an order for dog meat ban was passed and now, it has been set aside by Guwahati high court…he only insulted the people of Nagaland.”