DMK’s A Raja defended his comments on Hinduism after the BJP filed complaints against his speech. Raja had on September 6 said the Manusmriti insulted Shudras. He said, “As long as you are a Hindu, you are a Shudra; as long as you are a Shudra, you are the son of a prostitute; as long as you are a Hindu, you are a Panchami person [Dalits]; as long as you are a Hindu, you are an untouchable.” After the BJP accused him of spewing hatred against Hindus, Raja defended his speech on September 19. He also hit back at the BJP and Governor RN Ravi.