Some People Have Become Accustomed To Spreading Propaganda Against Union Government As 'Anti-Tamil': Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday (24 November) said that some people have become accustomed to spreading propaganda against the Union government as “anti-Tamil”.

The Union Minister’s remarks on social media were in response to objections raised by Madurai MP Su Venkatesan and DMK functionary R Rajiv Gandhi regarding a notification by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to conduct Business Laws and Quantitative Aptitude tests of the Chartered Accountants foundation exam on 14 and 16 January, respectively, coinciding with Pongal festivities.

Venkatesan blamed the Union government for the schedule to conduct exams during Pongal, which is an important cultural festival of Tamil Nadu.

The Madurai MP alleged that it is an insult to Tamil culture and urged the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and ICAI to change the schedule immediately, The Hindu reported.

Similarly, DMK functionary R Rajiv Gandhi also criticised the Union government for scheduling exams during Pongal.

Responding to the allegations, BJP functionary S G Suryah highlighted that Pongal is celebrated across India under different names, such as Makar Sankranti in the North, Lohri, Khichdi in Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarayani in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

He said Pongal is a national festival that the whole India celebrates and not only in Tamil Nadu.

He also questioned “Is BJP anti-all States according to your funny theory?”.

Suryah said the dates for CA exams are decided by the ICAI, an independent statutory body and not by the Finance Ministry.

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