Vijay's controversial comments during a panel discussion on an international news channel sparked an outrage with the Congress saying it was shocking while the DMK said it was funny.
Responding to former BJP MP Tarun Vijay's racist comment against South India, DMK leader called it funny saying, late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was fair.
Tarun Vijay sparked a controversy saying, "If we were racist, how do we live with south Indians." He made the remarks during an interview with the Al Jazeera English news channel.
The former MP was replying to one of the panellists - photographer Mahesh Shantaram - who questioned how politicians were saying that there is no racism in India. "Why are people abroad.. those who visit our nation, then feeling that Indians are racists. Are they all wrong?"
To this Tarun Vijay responded, "If we all were racists, why would have the entire South...you know Tamil..you know Kerala, you know Karnataka. Andhra... Why do we live with them. We have black people around us." He also questioned Shantaram's nationality, which prompted the photographer to display his Indian passport.
However, reacting to Vijay's comment, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said, "Funny; not all people in Kerala, Karnataka amd Tamil Nadu are black.Our leader Dr.Kalaignar is fair, Jayalalithaa was fair" he said.
After receiving backlash, Tarun Vijay attempted some damage control on Twitter. He clarified, "I said we worship Krishna, which literally means black, we were the first to oppose any racism and were in fact victims of racist British."
"In may parts of the nation we have different people of different colour and never ever did we have any discrimination against them. My words perhaps were not enough to convey this. Feel bad, really feel sorry, my apologies to those who feel I said something different than what I meant," he added.
BJP spokesperson Shaina N C said Vijay could have phrased his comments differently. She said her party believes in inclusive approach towards every religion, language and culture. "May be he (Vijay) could have worded it differently. "For whatever words (used by Vijay), India continues to be a diverse country," she said.
Congress leader Khushboo said such remarks by the BJP leader were "shocking" and he should have been more careful. The actress-turned-politician noted that he has worked to promote the Tamil culture.
"This is a country which is secular and does not believe in any colour and here is a party which is trying to give one single colour to it. This is absolutely not acceptable," Khushboo said.
(With agency inputs)
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