The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Don't resort to violence while putting forth conflicting views: Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 09, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Don't resort to violence while putting forth conflicting views: Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

HONOUR: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi presenting the Kamaraj Award to A.S. Ponnammal, former Congress MLA, in Chennai on Monday. K. Anbazhagan, Finance Minister, is also in the picture. — Photo : M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi on Monday renewed his appeal to both followers and detractors of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) founder Periyar E.V.Ramasami not to resort to violent methods while putting forth their conflicting views. He also made it clear that the Government would take all necessary steps to uphold rule of law.

Shortly after handing over awards named after eight stalwarts to nominees at a function here, Mr.Karunanidhi categorically said he did not approve of the violence let loose by the opponents of the late Periyar's ideals who had vandalised the leader's statues and the counter attacks launched by his followers on spiritual leaders and idols of Gods during the last few weeks.

Peace disrupted

These actions had resulted in an unpleasant situation, besides disrupting peace in the State, he said. Such violence and unruly behaviour on both sides were neither good for the country nor acceptable to the policies and principles of Periyar, who always took care to ensure that law and order was not disrupted by miscreants during agitations led by him, he added.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the Government would not hesitate to invoke National Security Act against whoever indulged in violence. Both supporters and opponents of Periyar's policies and ideals should resort to a healthy debate instead of indulging in violence, he said.

He appealed to the Tamil scholars and social workers including the eight recipients of the awards to continue to support the welfare and development schemes implemented by the Government to ensure the progress of the State.

Mr.Karunanidhi said he had always held B.R.Ambedkar in high esteem. When some sections raised objections to naming a university after Dr.Ambedkar in Maharashtra, thousands of DMK activists were asked by him to send letters and telegrams to the then Governor and the Chief Minster of the State to implement the resolution passed by the Assembly, he recalled.

Admitting that some rationalists were still reluctant to accept inter-caste marriages with dalits, he asked them to change their mindset.

He appealed to the people to celebrate `Pongal' in a grand manner, as the festival marked the impending prosperity of the toiling sections. He also expressed the hope that a day would come when `Thai' would be treated as the Tamil New Year.

Awardees

Among the recipients of the awards were M.G.R. Kazhagam leader R.M. Veerappan who won the `Arignar Anna Award', general secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Thol.Thirumavalavan, who received the `Annal Ambedkar Award', educationist K.P. Aravaanan, who bagged the `Ayyan Thiruvalluvar Award' and film star Sathyaraj, who got the `Thanthai Periyar Award.'

Former Congress legislator A.S.Ponnammal received the `Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Award.' Tamilaruvi Manian got the `Mahakavi Bharatiyar award.' K.Chellappan was given `Paavendar Bharathidasan Award' and K.Thirunavukkarasu received the `Tamilthenral Thiru.Vi.Ka. Award.'

Finance Minister K.Anbazhagan, who presided over the function, said all the awardees were deserving personalities.

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