{
  "id": 13855311,
  "title": "BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhi over Tamil language remarks, rejects Emergency comparison",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/bjp-hits-back-at-rahul-gandhi-over-tamil-language-remarks-rejects",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T02:18:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-hits-back-at-rahul-gandhi-over-tamil-language-remarks-rejects-emergency-comparison-101791770112922.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded harshly on Sunday to Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks in Chennai regarding the Tamil language and recent developments. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi dismissed Gandhi's claims as \"baseless allegations\" and refuted his assertion of an attack on Tamil language during the Narendra Modi government's term. Trivedi affirmed that the Tamil language has been respected and promoted under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, with efforts made to expand its reach both nationally and internationally.\n\nTrivedi criticized Gandhi's claim that Tamil was under attack due to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), calling it \"completely wrong.\" The BJP leader also challenged the Congress to match the Centre's record on Tamil culture since 1967, when the party was out of power in Tamil Nadu for 59 years.\n\nRejecting any comparison between the recent barricading and the Emergency period, Trivedi explained that the Defence of India Rules allowed for jail without bail, the suspension of fundamental rights, and the imprisonment of opposition figures. He emphasized that 125,000 people were jailed during that time, and the life of Parliament was extended from five to six years. Trivedi also questioned the Congress's stance on foreign influence, specifically citing Union Carbide, Bofors, Agusta Westland, and Hindenburg as examples.\n\nThe BJP spokesperson praised the BJP-led government's development projects in Chennai, noting that projects worth ₹13,000 crore were undertaken in the city. These included ₹4,900 crore for Chennai Metro and ₹3,700 crore for national highways, which together account for ₹8,600 crore, approximately two-thirds of the total investment. Concluding his statement, Trivedi attacked Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for not speaking the truth, asserting that the BJP under Modi is a testament to credibility.",
  "summary": "The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to create division between northern and southern India on linguistic grounds following his claims that Prime Minister Modi has attacked Tamil language and culture. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi stated that the Tamil language has received immense respect during the Modi administration, noting that the Prime Minister has praised it as the world's oldest language and has worked to establish it on both national and international stages. Trivedi highlighted that the Prime Minister recently presented a Russian translation of the Thirukkural to Vladimir Putin and noted that the Congress opposed the placement of the Sengol in the new Parliament building in 2023.\n\nAddressing Gandhi's comparisons to the Emergency, Trivedi characterized the remarks as baseless and reckless, stating that individuals can now speak freely in a way that was not possible during the Indira Gandhi government. A BJP leader added that the Congress has been out of power in Tamil Nadu since 1967 and challenged the party to match the central government's record regarding Tamil culture. Additionally, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj criticized the Congress for failing to take action against JNU.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "24 hours after hosting Rahul Gandhi, TN CM Vijay takes metro ride with PM Modi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/24-hours-after-hosting-rahul-gandhi-tn-cm-vijay-takes-metro-ride-with",
        "published": "2026-10-11T23:07:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}