'Designer's mistake,' says DMK leader Anitha Radhakrishnan on 'China flag' in ISRO launch complex ad

Thoothukudi: A day after an advertisement related to ISRO's new launch complex in Tamil Nadu caused a row for featuring a 'Chinese flag', DMK leader and Fisheries Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan on Thursday said it was a gaffe by the designer.

The minister, who had given the advertisement on behalf of his party, stressed that it was only a mistake and they (DMK) had no other intentions.

"A small mistake happened in the advertisement. We have no other intention. We have only love for India in our hearts," Radhakrishnan said, adding that it is his party's stand that India should stay united without giving any room for clashes on the grounds of caste or religion.

Radhakrishnan said it was late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi who first voiced the demand for a new launch complex of ISRO at Kulasekarapattinam near here in Tamil Nadu.

Also, Chief Minister M K Stalin and Thoothukudi Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi had all along urged the Centre to set up the launch complex in the state, he told reporters. This is why it was decided to give an advertisement (in dailies) to highlight the efforts made by the DMK leaders to bring the project to Tamil Nadu, the minister said. Those who designed the advertisement made a gaffe which went unnoticed by them, the Minister said.

BJP leader and Union Minister L Murugan, however, demanded that the DMK apologise to the people for publishing that advertisement. On the DMK's stand that the 'China' reference was a mistake, Murugan said, "It is our duty to put the Indian flag (in advertisement) and they (DMK) must apologise to the people. Only India's achievements have to be showcased. The country's achievements in space technology and the new ISRO complex in Tamil Nadu are the nation's pride."

On February 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a new launch complex of ISRO at Kulasekarapattinam, which is worth about Rs 986 crore. The complex, which can accommodate 24 launches per year, includes 35 facilities and features mobile launch structures (MLS) with checkout computers marking a significant stride in enhancing space exploration capabilities.

On the concluding day (Feb 28) of his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, Modi strongly criticised the DMK for being "oblivious" to the nation's achievements in the space sector. Addressing a BJP rally, PM Modi alleged that the DMK regime does not work, but only takes "false credit" and affixes its 'stickers' on Central schemes.

"Now they have crossed the limit. They have pasted the sticker of China to take credit for ISRO launchpad in Tamil Nadu. This is an insult to our space scientists, space sector, your tax money and you (the country)," he said, addressing the people.

In a post on X, the PM had said: "DMK’s advertisement today is hilarious. They have insulted Indian science and the Indian space sector, for which they must apologise."