An independent research programme should be undertaken on “literary journalism”, ideas, themes and the remarkable longevity of former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M. Karunanidhi’s contributions, said N. Ram, Chairman of The Hindu group’s publishing company, THG Publishing Private Limited, in Tiruchi on Friday.
“Karunanidhi’s life, works, approach and many-sided contribution deserve deliberation. He was not only a protector of freedom of expression but also a practitioner of the right. It was part of his being,” said Mr. Ram, addressing a commemorative meeting organised by the DMK to laud Karunanidhi’s role in upholding the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
This was the first of a series of meetings, focusing on Karunanidhi’s multi-faceted personality, being organised by the party across the State this month. “There must be very few who have reached the heights that Karunanidhi attained in politics and public life in India or abroad. The fact that the Prime Minister, national leaders and several Chief Ministers came to pay their last respects to him was testimony to the enormous influence he wielded nationally,” Mr. Ram said. Even former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa tweeted his condolence over his death. “Karunanidhi and Rajapaksa were not friends; nor did they have a good relationship. The former Chief Minister did not accept Mr. Rajapaksa’s position, especially when it came to the issue of Tamil rights. But it is a matter of pride for the State that even a person who was strongly opposed by Karunanidhi paid rich tributes to him,” he added.
Life-long yoga
“It is not surprising that he upheld freedom of expression. He was steeped in it. Writing was his life-long yoga. He fought against censorship during the Emergency, even at the cost of losing his government. This was also one of his important contributions,” Mr. Ram pointed out, recalling his association with the late leader since 1969. Karunanidhi’s journalism was literary, but at the same time popular. It was not heavy, but serious.
He handed over a copy of the commemorative issue of Frontline on Karunanidhi to DMK working president M.K. Stalin and distributed copies of the magazine, a sister publication of The Hindu , to other leaders.
R. Gopal, Editor, Nakheeran , said Karunanidhi strongly condemned attempts to muzzle freedom of expression and came out in support of journalists whenever they faced oppression. He had addressed a meeting opposing Mr. Gopal’s detention under POTA in 2003, he said.
Arun Ram, Resident Editor, The Times of India , Chennai, said the former DMK leader was an exceptionally encouraging politician to journalists as he promptly gave his feedback, good or bad, on their writings. Senior journalist R. Bhagwan Singh of Deccan Chronicle said Karunanidhi was like an elder brother to journalists. He was first a journalist as he had come out with a hand-written magazine at the age of 14.
M. Gunasekaran, Editor, News 18 Tamil Nadu; Thirumavelan, Editor, Kalaignar Seithigal; R. Arunan, senior journalist; Samas, Op-ed Editor, The Hindu Tamil Thisai ; Raja Thiruvengadam, special correspondent, Sun TV ; and R. Muthukumar, Resident Editor, News 7, shared their views on Karunanidhi’s role in protecting freedom of speech and expression. Senior DMK leaders, including K.N. Nehru and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi were present.
