The State awards conferred by the Tamil Nadu government on a host of individuals here on Tuesday brought to the fore yet again the criticism that these awards are politicised.
This year AIADMK Parliamentary Board member and former Minister B. Valarmathi was conferred the Thanthai Periyar award and one of the founding members the party’s labour wing Anna Thozhirsangam, A. Subramanian, was given the Perarignar Anna award.
When asked for a comment, DMK leader and former Minister Thangam Thennarasu said any government should ensure that it doesn’t intervene in the process involved for short-listing the personalities for any award given by it. “This criticism is there even in the Padma awards given by the Central government. It would not be appropriate to say whether the awardees deserve them. But governments must not interfere in the selection committee/jury.”
During the DMK regime, Ambedkar awards for personalities such as Communist leader R. Nallakannu and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan were given which were justifiable, he said.
CPI (M) leader K. Bala Bharathi argued that the government should frame a guideline prohibiting anyone associated with the ruling party from being chosen for State awards. She said the names such as Kausalya Shankar could have been considered for Periyar award.
Ms. Valarmathi referred to the criticism that she was being given the award instituted in the name of a rationalist while she had performed rituals in temples. “Why do we have to identify Periyar only with atheism, when he is known for other things such as feminism?” she asked.
Tamil Development Minister K. Pandiarajan said the recipients for awards were short-listed from nominations and a process was involved in their selection. “Moreover, their party affiliation should not be seen as a disqualification.”
