‘Dravidian movement’shistory is unparalleled’

Stalin says it has continued to serve people despite all odds

Exploring roots: DMK leader M.K. Stalin at the launch of the three-volume history of the DMK.

DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Saturday said no other political movement could claim a long history on a par with the Dravidian movement and it had survived all attempts to vanquish it.

Addressing a meeting organised to release the three-volume history of the DMK penned by K. Thirunavukkarasu, Mr. Stalin said the Dravidian movement continued to serve the people while its enemies had just disappeared.

“No one can even touch the Dravidian movement, and the three-volume book will inculcate the movement’s ideals among the younger generation,” he said.

Recalling various phases the movement underwent and the launch of the DMK as a political party, Mr. Stalin said party founder Anna was not interested in capturing power. “He wanted to run as a movement serving the people. Only in the 1956 conference, it was decided to contest in the election after an overwhelming majority of the party men voted in favour of entering the electoral battle,” he said.

Need for quota

DMK’s principal secretary Duraimurugan said the three volumes had filled the need for a detailed history of the Dravidian movement.

“Even my son questioned the need for continuation of reservation. He wondered whether those who had already climbed the social ladder should really require reservation. If he had read our history, he would not have raised the question,” he said.