— Photo: A. Muralidharan

REMEMBERING MARTYRS: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi releasing a commemorative stamp at the valedictory of the bi-centenary of sepoy mutiny in Vellore on Monday.

VELLORE: The State Government will actively consider installing another memorial stone for the martyrs of the Vellore Sepoy Mutiny, which marked the beginning of the freedom struggle, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said here on Monday.

Speaking at the valedictory of the bi-centenary of the Sepoy Mutiny at the Vellore Fort Grounds, the Chief Minister said it was the duty of all those who respected democracy not to forget to pay respect to the martyrs of the freedom struggle.

As a staunch believer in democracy, he would hold consultations with sculptors for one more memorial stone.

In 1998, during his previous regime, he inaugurated a Sepoy Mutiny memorial pillar at the junction of Officer's Line and Bangalore Road.

Stating that the student community should know more about the role played by Tamil soldiers in the freedom struggle, Mr. Karunanidhi said he would take steps to introduce a separate chapter on the Vellore Sepoy Mutiny in the school curriculum. He said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was back to power because it was democratic. "Democracy is the fertiliser to protect freedom," he said.

He said he disagreed with Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy's comments that the Tamil soldiers in the revolt did not have an efficient leader to guide them.

The revolt also took place in Madurai, Tirunelveli and Sivaganga. There were efficient leaders but the presence of traitors in their group led to their loss.

The Tamil soldiers were an embodiment of Tamil culture and principles, he said.

Earlier, Mr. Karunanidhi released a Sepoy Mutiny Commemorative Postal Stamp and distributed financial aid under various welfare schemes.

Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology, R. Velu, Union Minister of State for Railways, C. Gnanasekaran, Vellore MLA, R. Gandhi, Ranipet MLA, and Dharmendra Pratap Yadav, Vellore Collector, were among those who spoke.

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