The Madras High Court should be appreciated for its “legally sound order” allowing the burial of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi inside the Anna mausoleum, said N. Ram, Chairman, The Hindu Group’s publishing company THG Publishing Private Ltd, on Sunday.
Addressing a meeting— Pughazh Vanakkam —organised by Vetri Tamizhar Peravai to pay tributes to Karunanidhi in Chennai, he said there were “conspiracies at the highest level” (to deny the burial place), and if the place had been denied, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Mr. Ram said DMK working president M.K. Stalin deserved appreciation for fulfilling the wish of Karunanidhi to be buried next to his mentor C.N. Annadurai. “Otherwise, the reaction would have been adverse. The court order offered a great escape,” he said. Karunanidhi, he said, was a “unique personality” and a “man of ideas and great talent”, who maintained equanimity in the face of success and adversity.
Recalling an incident when The Hindu wrote a highly critical editorial and Karunanidhi’s response to it, Mr. Ram said the former DMK leader could create “a common ground” with his critics and it was the “greatness of a political leader.”
He attributed Tamil Nadu’s social development to the Dravidian Movement and its leaders — Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and Annadurai—and Karunanidhi, who as an administrator, implemented their agenda.
Poet Vairamuthu, who organised the meeting, rejected the allegation that Karunanidhi had not created anything original, but made distinction as a commentator, who recreated masterpieces out of original works. “ Kambaramanyanam is not the original work of Kambar. He adopted Valmiki’s Ramayana in Tamil. But Kamban’s work proved greater than Valmiki’s,” he explained. Mr. Vairamuthu said the first generation understood Karunanidhi by his writing, second generation by his achievement and the next generation by his death.“Though I thought death was a liberation, I changed the concept after August 7 when Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) died,” he said, adding that he had not left a vacuum since it was filled by his writings, speeches, poetries and achievements.
Mr. Vairamuthu said naming the Central University in Tiruvarur after Karunanidhi would be a fitting tribute to the leader.
Poet Tamizhachi Thangapandian said the Marina should be renamed as ‘Kalaignar Beach’.
Tamil scholar Avvai Natarajan said Karunanidhi coined the word Udanpirappey to include both men and women since Anna’s word “ Thambi ” addressed only the men.
Film director Bharathiraja said it was Karunanidhi’s humanism that deserved appreciation than all other qualities.
Journalist Nakkeeran Gopal said when his office was attacked, it was Karunanidhi who ensured that he had a safe passage and escaped the fury of the mob.
Former judge Justice K.N. Basha and actor Vivek spoke.
Silent procession
MDMK leader Vaiko on Sunday led a silent march by his party cadre from the government guest house in Chepauk to the Anna Memorial, where former DMK president M. Karunanidhi was buried and declared that he would stand for the Dravidian movement till his last breath.
Upon reaching the memorial, Mr. Vaiko paid his respects and showered flower petals on the former DMK chief’s photos. His cadre raised slogans praising Karunanidhi. “ Kalaignar set an example for social justice and fought for the rights of Tamil Nadu,” said the MDMK leader. Describing him as a saviour of minorities, Mr. Vaiko said Karunanidhi would remain in the minds of people.
