The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : Shun violence, Chief Minister tells students

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Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Shun violence, Chief Minister tells students

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi made a fervent call here on Sunday to students to shun violence and asked them to acquire administrative acumen in educational institutions.

Referring to the recent clashes between two groups of students at the law college in Chennai, he said institutions of learning were not meant to acquire skills in knife-wielding and stone-throwing.

Addressing a public meeting organised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and the Nilgiris units as part of the Anna Centenary celebrations, Mr. Karunanidhi recalled that former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai saw students as the future leaders of the country.

“But, Anna would have wept had he witnessed these incidents,” Mr. Karunanidhi said. He was particularly upset that law students broke the law. “I also appeal to political leaders and others not to instigate students to commit violence,” he said.

Mr. Karunanidhi also lamented the lack of unity among political parties in the State in the campaign for seeking protection for the lives of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

“We have to admit with shame that disunity has deprived the campaign of the desired force. Instead of holding competitive fasts and rallies, Tamils must speak in one voice,” he said.

Self-respect

Anna strove for equal rights and self-respect for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it was incumbent on everyone gathered at his centenary celebrations to think what effective steps could be taken to ensure rights and self-respect for the Tamils, he said.

Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan, Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy and Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy were among those who recalled the contributions of Anna and pointed out how Mr. Karunanidhi strove to uphold his ideals as the leader of the DMK. They listed out the welfare schemes being implemented now as those reflecting the spirit of the ideals.

Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK was a movement of the people and that he alone was not responsible for the growth of the party.

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