Puthiya Tamilagam founder-president K. Krishnasamy has demanded that the Centre and State name Madurai airport after the Dalit martyr Immanuel Sekaran in order to honour the leader who laid his life for social justice and Dalits who had donated their land for the airport.
Participating in a hunger strike here on Saturday, Dr. Krishnasamy said that Sekaran was the first leader to sacrifice his life fighting for social justice and equality among various communities in the society. He belonged to the Dalits, who are the ancient inhabitants of Tamil Nadu. “It would only be appropriate to name Madurai airport after the leader. Besides, it was the Dalits of Chinna Udaippu, who had donated their lands for setting up of the airstrip for the Royal Air Force during the British rule.
“Even now it is only Dalit land that is being acquired for the airport expansion work. The Tamil Nadu Government has been naming Government buildings like schools after those who donated the land. In this case, the Dalits want to name it after Sekaran,” he said.
Dr. Krishnasamy said that his party had been making this demand for the last two decades. However, he refused to comment on BJP MP Subramaniya Swamy’s demand to name the Madurai airport after freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar.
“The Dalits live in large numbers in the south. Besides, naming of the airport after Immanuel Sekaran would be in recognition of the Dalits, who are the major farm workforce, and their contribution to the development of the State,” he added.
