Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks alleging that Biharis are being harassed in Tamil Nadu under the DMK government have triggered a fierce political backlash, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Congress leaders accusing the Prime Minister of “divisive politics” ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls.

Speaking at a rally in Bihar, Modi reportedly said that the DMK regime in Tamil Nadu has mistreated Bihari workers — a claim that quickly snowballed into a national controversy.

Responding sharply, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the Prime Minister was “losing the dignity of his position” by making such statements. In a post on X, Stalin wrote, “Mr. Hon’ble Prime Minister is responsible for everyone in this country. As a Tamilian, I painfully request that Narendra Modi should not lose his responsible dignity with such speeches, which he often forgets.”

The DMK chief accused the BJP of spreading hatred for electoral gains, adding, “I strongly condemn the BJP, wherever it goes — Odisha or Bihar — for displaying hatred towards Tamils for election politics.” Stalin urged the Prime Minister to “stop petty political activities like creating enmity between Hindus and Muslims, and between Tamils and Biharis,” and instead focus on governance and national welfare.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused Modi of attempting to divide communities for political advantage. He said in a post on X, “PM Modi has once again spoken in a way that sows hatred and division against thousands of Bihar brothers working peacefully in Tamil Nadu.”

Calling the remarks a reflection of the “politics of hatred ingrained in the RSS training,” Tagore alleged that such attitudes were “Modi’s political DNA.” He also backed Stalin’s response, urging unity to “protect the unity and diversity of India.”

The controversy has erupted as the BJP intensifies its campaign in Bihar ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, with Modi’s comments seen as a bid to rally sentiment among Bihari voters by highlighting regional issues.

Meanwhile, former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai came out in strong support of the Prime Minister, asserting that Modi’s statements were based on fact. In his post on X, Annamalai wrote, “Our esteemed Prime Minister of India, Thiru Narendra Modi, stated that the DMK people are tormenting the hardworking people of Bihar, and this is entirely true.”

He further alleged that “from Tamil Nadu ministers Ponmudi, TRB Raja, MP Dayanidhi Maran, A Raja, and right down to the grassroots DMK functionaries, there have been repeated instances of mocking Biharis and inciting hostility against them.”