Karunanidhi: time to correct ‘mistake' of British Governor
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Thursday demanded that the taluks of Devikulam and Peermedu, now in Kerala and forming parts of the catchment of the Periyar river, be merged with Tamil Nadu.
“The Kerala government has compelled us to reiterate our demand that Devikulam and Peermedu which, historically and geographically, belong to Tamils and Tamil Nadu, be retrieved,” DMK president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said in a statement.
He called upon the Central and State governments to make efforts to correct the [M. E. Grant Duff] and undoing the “injustice” meted out to the State at the time of reorganisation of States.
While an Empowered Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court and headed by Justice A.S. Anand, was going into the Mullaperiyar dam issue, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was insisting on a negotiated settlement and repeating that his government would never go back on its position of seeking a new dam (in place of the 116-year-old dam).
Mr. Karunanidhi recalled how his party had been demanding that Peermedu and Devikulam be merged with Tamil Nadu. He referred to DMK founder C.N. Annadurai's plea in January 1956 in this regard.
The party, along with Tamizharasu Kazhagam, the Communist Party of India and the Praja Socialist Party, called for a day-long general strike the next month and held a rally. The DMK, at its conferences in January 1956 and February 1957, adopted resolutions in this regard, he noted.
On the ‘mistake' of the British Governor at the time of signing of the 1886 agreement, Mr. Karunanidhi claimed that originally the boundary of the erstwhile Travancore princely state was up to Aroor and Kottarakara, but the British government regarded Devikulam and Peermedu as parts of the princely state.
Keywords: Mullaperiyar Dam, DMK, M. Karunanidhi, five-decade old demand, Peermedu, Devikulam
The States Reorganisation Commission recommended Devikulam and Peermade to be given to TN on the basis of majority Tamil population. But Kamraj, the then CM, did not insist on the merger of these two provinces.Devikulam and Peermade were populated by the Tamils right from the beginning. They had easy access through Bodinayakanur. The luxuriant tea estates and other plantations that we see today in Munnar are the outcome of the blood, sweat and tears of Tamil labourers. Malayalis got access to these forest areas only after the opening of the Neriyamangalam bridge. Karunanidhi's claim should not lead to ethnic cleansing in these areas. Even now Tamil families driven out of these areas are now in refugee camps in Theni. He should take steps to protect them.
This is simply politics and adding oil to fire. It would be better if the public and media turn a deaf ear to such comments instead of inviting comments and debate on the topic which would further encourage these politicians to make unjust demands and statements which would unnecessarily create tension between two states.
Mr. Karunanidhi may be right or wrong in his demand for annexing Devikulam and Peermedu with TamilNadu. But the question is, are the critics of Mr. Karunanidhi ready to listen to the voice of the residents of these two taluks. In that case, 85% of the people prefer Tamil Nadu to Kerala? In the same way, the people of Kanyakumari (including myself) will never forget the sacrifice of the previous generation for the merger with Tamil Nadu.The systematic discrimination of the Travancore Government forced the Tamils to break the bondage and it was really their second independence!
Tamilnadu was once ruled by Krishna Deva Raya. Let Tamilnadu be part of Karnataka state!!
If TN demands for Devikulam and Peerumedu, Kerala can easily demand for Gudalur and Pandalur taluks in Nilgiris district, which were traditionally ruled by Kerala kings as part of Wayanad. Moreover the landlords were Malayalis and majority of the people at time of States Reorganisation were Malayalis and non-Tamil tribals.
Kerala can also demand for Kanyakumari district and Shencotta because these areas were ruled by Travancore and has got cultural similarities with Kerala.
At this moment in our country's history, it is dangerous to succumb to irredentist or separatist demands of any state or region. If the centre yields to one demand, further demands will pop up all over the country, which would have serious ramification for our country's integrity. Centre should ensure that minorities in all states are given full freedom to speak their language and follow their culture
The demand made by Mr. Karunanidhi is totally unacceptable. The
majority of Tamils living in these areas are migrant laborers not the
permanent residents. An interesting thing to note that during any
elections in Kerala or Tamil Nadu the TN- Kerala border will be closed
for at least one week because there is a possibility that these
migrants will cast their votes both in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. So for
the sake of these type of migrant people having a native place in
Tamil Nadu the demand for annexation of Devikulam and Udumbanchola
Thaluks of Idukki District to Tamil Nadu is not acceptable
Why do people of kerala shout from the roof top about a political statement made by a Tamilnadu politician?.We,Tamilians do not take our politicians and their statements seriously,unlike you people in Kerala.So let him talk anything he wants,afterall he has to survive in politics.Do not respond for everything and anything,as these things do not warrant any response from the public.
It may sound foolish since said by Karuna. But fact is different. If the Dam was in TNs Territory then this big issue wouldn't have raised. For 50 years TN has never made this claim now what makes us claim?? Its Kerala's adamant behavior. Even after the Supreme court empowered commitee refers the dam as safe still Kerala wants to Demolish it in the name of Territorial rights. Is Kerala an Independent country to put territorial rights as primary?? Why isn't 5 district people's life is not taken into consideration?? If the dam is about to burst why is Kerala running boats there or why supreme court has not called for an emergency?? Even C.P. Roy of Kerala said New Dam is unfeasible and it cannot supply water to TN. Only thing happening is Kerala is not broad minded enough to give water. They cannot admit it openly which will hamper its Indianism so indirectly they raise safety issues and now territorial rights.
The demand of Mr. Karunanidhi is not proper. Extending his own arguments, even the division of the country on linguistic basis was a great mistake. Sri Lanka was ruled by Britishers and they did a mistake in leaving the country without partition when a large number of its people were Tamils. Hence India should now extend its territorial jurisdiction to the areas where Tamils are situated and for whom the Dravidian political parties are fighting.Afghanistan ,a part of India that was ruled by the British, should be annexed by India on similar grounds - so too Pakistan and Bangla Desh.
If Devikulam and Peerimedu are with Kerala what is the problem? What will Tamil Nadu do differently for the development of the area? Any other country if they have a place like Kanyakumari would have made it into a great place for receation and tourism. That is the southern most part of South Asian land mass. Kanyakumari is under Tamilnadu. One should go there and see its pathetic condition. People of that area is yearning for development. It shows TN cannot even manage what they have.
All these things like seperate Telengana, merger of Telugu speaking areas of Maharashtra like Nanded, Aurangabad with Andhra Pradesh, similarly formation of seperate Vidharbha from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, more a seperate state for the refugees of Sreelanka in Tamil Nadu with Madhurai known as Nagamanaikan state, a seperate Bundhelkhand from U.P., Goorkhaland in West Bengal, can only be solved by constitution of Second States Reorganisation Commission and to keep all inter related issues status quo ante., to serve unity in diversity.
now every body think about the soulution of the problem, not for the history. mr.Karunanidhi's statement was creating the differences between the two states, it is not good for the countrys development and the people of kerals and tamilnadu. if really these two taluks are belogns to tamilnadu states, what their government has done while they were in power. This statement was creating some confusion in the minds of tamils, its not good, you plase withdraw his statement please.
DMK's demand is absurd.and does not make any sense. Since it is not in power,wants to create some unrest in the public mind.
The demand by DMK leader is untimely. If these two taluks converting to TN will the fear and danger to the Central Kerala will disappear. If something untoward happens the water will not flow to TN. We are the sufferers. So first of all let us create a seperate "Thadayina" or "Bund" for the safety of innocent people. The leaders should come to a consensus for that humanity. Now we are more afraid that not a little bit of surky was found even after digging 92 feet. ( Thanks GOD, The digging was not done by Kerala!!!) We can discuss about coverting theose taluks to TN later.
Great idea sir!!! Why Peerumedu and Devikulam alone? Why can't you annex the entire Kerala? So the entire controversy will be washed out. Vande Matharam. We need rulers of this nature!!!
This is utter nonsense. They wanted Eelam in Srilanka after settling there and now wants part of kerala too. All agreement and treaties signed by British have become null and void when India became independent. Also the treaty is between Madras presidency and Travancore both of them are non existant. It was nice of Kerala to have given up Kanyakumari dt to TN. Kerala has been been magnanimous in giving water from other dams too. TN is in the habit of fighting with neighbours like Karnataka in the past.
"On the ‘mistake' of the British Governor at the time of signing of the 1886 agreement, Mr. Karunanidhi claimed that originally the boundary of the erstwhile Travancore princely state was up to Aroor and Kottarakara, but the British government regarded Devikulam and Peermedu as parts of the princely state." Dewans of Travancore state were mostly Tamil Brahmins. Mr Ram Iyengar who signed the agreement unfavorable to the Kingdom was definitely anti malayali and pro tamilian.
Can't believe how people in India can follow or listen to him. He ought to retire and let someone else take over. India needs some chrismatic leaders.
Is mr.Karunanidhi genuine in his statement it is a big question mark. After 50 plus years unnecessarily racking up an issue of no relevance. By annexing Devikulam and Peermedu,what is that we are going to gain? Now it is a totally forgotten history, the new stunt by Sri.Karunanidhi is bound to create more ripples in inter state relation ship. Instead let mr.Karunanidhi do something constructively in the on going Mulla periyar Dam issue. Still his party is in UPA and if he has any voice with the center, work for a honorable solution that would enable both the states settle their respective differences amicably . If no politics is seen, our current CM should accept the verdict in the interest of inter state relationship, good for the country like India, since this country is already facing innumerable problems.
Why not correct the "error" made by the British in building Mullaperiyar dam and forced travancore maharaja to freely give away the water to TN? The entire Malabar area was under British administration before independence, along with Madras province. DMK is likely to make another demand to return Malabar to TN! Similarly Nizam's great grand children can claim back Hyderabad.
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