‘We Don’t Need Your Lessons’: DMK Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over His Remarks On Tamil Culture

News india ‘We Don’t Need Your Lessons’: DMK Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over His Remarks On Tamil Culture

‘We Don’t Need Your Lessons’: DMK Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over His Remarks On Tamil Culture

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Last Updated: October 11, 2026, 16:32 IST

DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai criticised Rahul Gandhi over his Chennai event, saying the party would not allow anyone to undermine Tamil Nadu’s culture and identity.

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DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Chennai, accusing him of speaking about Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity while, according to the DMK leader, failing to respect the state’s linguistic identity.

Annadurai said Gandhi had no right to lecture Tamil Nadu on protecting its culture and questioned the naming of the programme. His remarks came after Gandhi addressed students at Chennai’s Island Grounds as part of his youth outreach initiative.

“There is no big difference between the BJP and Congress. Rahul Gandhi comes here and waxes eloquent… You did not even have the courtesy to name it in Tamil or a neutral language like English, and you are coming and teaching us–taking lessons on protecting our cultural identity? We don’t need your lessons, Rahul Gandhi. DMK is strong enough; DMK will not allow anybody to enter the state of Tamil Nadu who will destroy the culture and identity of the state of Tamil Nadu and its people"

Rahul Gandhi’s Chennai Outreach

Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Chennai was aimed at engaging with students and young people. During the event, he spoke about democracy, students’ right to question authority and issues concerning Tamil Nadu.

Gandhi also criticised the Narendra Modi government, alleging that Tamil Nadu’s language, history and culture were under threat. He said he would not allow the Centre to “attack Tamil language, history and culture".

DMK-Congress Tensions

Annadurai’s latest remarks add to the recent friction between the DMK and Congress. The two parties have also clashed over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK questioning Gandhi’s position on alleged voter deletions in the state.

The DMK spokesperson had earlier questioned why Gandhi was raising electoral concerns elsewhere while, according to the party, remaining silent on developments linked to SIR in Tamil Nadu.

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Quick Answers Powered by Ask News18 Why did DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai criticize Rahul Gandhi's Chennai event? DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai criticized Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Chennai, arguing that Gandhi lacked the right to lecture Tamil Nadu on protecting its cultural identity while failing to respect the state's linguistic identity by not naming the programme in Tamil or English. What issues have caused recent friction between the DMK and Congress? Recent friction between the DMK and Congress has been caused by disputes over Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Tamil culture and disagreements regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK questioning Gandhi's position on alleged voter deletions. What did Rahul Gandhi claim regarding Tamil Nadu's language and culture during his youth outreach? During his youth outreach programme in Chennai, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Narendra Modi government and stated that Tamil Nadu's language, history, and culture were under threat, vowing that he would not allow the Centre to attack them. Powered by Ask News18

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

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First Published: October 11, 2026, 16:32 IST

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