Who is Karunanidhi?
Mr. M. Karunanidhi is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He become Chief Minister of the State for the fifth time. His followers praise him ‘Kalaignar’ meaning artist. He definitely knows the art of mesmerizing people and enjoy power at any cost. Hence he truly fits for the title. The purpose of the article is not to praise or condemn him. It is just an exercise to put-forth my argument that an ordinary person can become an iconic just because of his oratorical skills and finally become burden of the mass.
Mr. M. Karunanidhi is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He become Chief Minister of the State for the fifth time. His followers praise him ‘Kalaignar’ meaning artist. He definitely knows the art of mesmerizing people and enjoy power at any cost. Hence he truly fits for the title. The purpose of the article is not to praise or condemn him. It is just an exercise to put-forth my argument that an ordinary person can become an iconic just because of his oratorical skills and finally become burden of the mass.
Birth and Growth.
Mr. Muthuvel Karunanidhi born in an hamlet near Tiruvarur a Small Town in Tamil Nadu, in a poor family. He has no formal school education. Though he was brought forward by his father a Nadaswaram instrumentalist (Nadaswaram is a music instrument played in temples and houses of Tamil Nadu during marriage and other auspicious occasions). After his fathers death he migrated to Chennai (then Madras) without any property in hand. Some body tell that he has no money to even buy the train ticket. Some body tell that he toiled in poverty in his earlier days that he shared half a cup of tea with noted film star ‘Sivaji’ Ganesan. Such a poverty woven man has become richest of riches in India and he is counted among top twenty richest persons of Asia.
Mr. Muthuvel Karunanidhi born in an hamlet near Tiruvarur a Small Town in Tamil Nadu, in a poor family. He has no formal school education. Though he was brought forward by his father a Nadaswaram instrumentalist (Nadaswaram is a music instrument played in temples and houses of Tamil Nadu during marriage and other auspicious occasions). After his fathers death he migrated to Chennai (then Madras) without any property in hand. Some body tell that he has no money to even buy the train ticket. Some body tell that he toiled in poverty in his earlier days that he shared half a cup of tea with noted film star ‘Sivaji’ Ganesan. Such a poverty woven man has become richest of riches in India and he is counted among top twenty richest persons of Asia.
Ladders.
How all this can be possible? Is it possible in other parts of the world. May be there are Idi Amins or Imelda Marcos. But they swindled money openly with Anarchy. But out hero mesmerized the people of Tamil Nadu, especially his followers and still enjoy considerable clout among them. What he says is Bible for them. They will jump in to the well once he orders so. Such was the idiotic idol worship they follow. What is laughable is these very persons say with pride that they are ‘rationalists’. Let’s see the artistic articulation of this man, who gradually but definitely stepped up the ladder of power and keeps entire state under his grip.
It is known fact that those who are under privileged or under the grip of poverty or without any basic education will thrive vigorously to come-up in life. Their fight with the life will be terrible. Hence, Mr. Karunanidhi, who is under the grip of poverty, is in search of jobs that are easy enough to fetch high returns. He joined the Rationalist movement, whose political out fit is the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK-meaning a Society for the Development of Dravidians-a Race in South India). The DMK which was founded by Dr. C. N. Annadurai and five others swept to Power in 1967. Immediately after a year in power Annadurai passed away and Mr. Karunanidhi become Chief Minister of the State. He super ceded other tall senior leaders with the backing of popular film star Mr. M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). People belive that MGR was instrumental in driving DMK to power in 1971, when he was shot by another film star in a verbal tussle. Second time Mr. Karunanidhi was sworn in. He goes on to become Chief Minister during 1989, 1996 & 2006.
Elevation.
Each an every time he becomes Chief Minister with the support of external elements and certainly with his oratorical skills. He bent entire DMK mass in his favour and against the senior leaders who are to become Chief Minister after the demise of Annadurai in 1968. He bagged the support of MGR, whose fans form a chunk of DMK followers. Again in 1971, he become Chief Minister, driving happily on the sympathetic votes cast in MGR’s favour when he was shot. He thought that MGR was a threat to his post and immediately after taking oath he expelled MGR from the party in 1972. Though that was a mistake committed by him, he never realized it. MGR founded AIADMK and it ruled the state till 1987 when MGR dead. Mr. Karunanidhi become Chief Minister in 1989, when the MGR’s party was split in the middle and lost recognition. Mr. Karunanidhi achieved the feat once again 1996, when popular film star Rajnikanth and congress leader Mooppanar opposed Jayalalithaa (political heir apparent of MGR and general secretary of united AIADMK, who was the Chief Minister during 1991-96) supported Karunanidhi unconditionally. He become Chief Minister in 2006, when the allies of Jayalalithaa joined Karunanidhi and supported him against the arrogant style of functioning of Jayalalithaa.
Descending
He lost power in 1975, when his government was dismissed by Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, on the charges of corruption. This was the first and only time that a State Government in India was dismissed on the charges of corruption. Many of his ministers and party men were put behind the bars and Emergency was clamped all over the Country. The state was saved from becoming bankrupt.
He lost power again in 1991, when his government was dismissed by Prime Minister Mr. Chandrasekar, on the charges of passing State Secrecy to banned terror out fits and threatening the safety of the Country. This was unique in India as no other state governments were dismissed on similar charges so far. The terror out fits have been groomed to such extent and played havoc that a former Prime Minister, who is likely to come back to power in the following elections, was human-bombed to death during an electoral rally. Tamil Nadu was the only State which was free from terror activities till that instant happened on its soil.
He lost the government again in 2001, when Jayalalithaa formed a grand alliance and defeated him in the elections. His misrule and revengeful activities against Jayalalithaa went against him. People suspected that he was instrumental in dismissing the nomination papers of Jayalalithaa in the 2001 elections and prevented her from being contesting the elections.
Mr. Karunanidhi has done many things during his tenures as Chief Minister and an important ally at the Center. They centered only around his family and friends and caused damage to the interest of Tamil Nadu at large. He meticulously advocates the sentiments of Tamils, Tamil pride, Tamil culture, Tamil language, North-South divide, Brahmin-non Brahmin divide, etc., only to enrich his own treasure and remain in power. All these sentiments have not paid any dividend to the State, but remained detrimental to the development of the State. Let’s see how his games damaged Tamil Nadu.
Karunanidhi was the first Chief Minister to be named and accused as No. 1 culprit in a corruption case. Justice Sarkaria found him guilty of corruption in various cases, like purchase of pesticides, urea during his first tenure. His government was dismissed later by Indira Gandhi, based on the Sarakaria report.
Love for Tamil
He was one of the advocates campaigning against the use of Hindi in Tamil Nadu. Their argument was that Hindi will destroy Tamil, if it is given importance. Alas! They do not know the fact that Tamil was Oldest of all languages and withstand all the onslaught by centuries. In fact, Sanskrit, whose important over shadowed Tamil during the medieval period lost its base and remained in book shelves. Such was the pride of Tamil. But Hindi is of recent origin. It has only about 500 years of history. It is unknown before Tulsidas. However Karunanidhi and others showcased the invented fear and blown the public sentiment. Anti-Hindi agitation was the only agitation championed vigorously by a section of people during the independent India. Pandit Nehru respected the public sentiment and withdrawn Hindi from Tamil Nadu. Till date only bilingual formula is adapted in Tamil Nadu.
But what Mr. karunanidhi and his coterie are doing. They have let their own kith and kin to study Hindi and English. They prevented others, particularly poor and village people from studying Hindi. In Tamil Nadu, barring the Government Schools, Hindi is being taught in all schools. The poor and helpless study only Tamil and the well-to-do people study all. Mr. Dayanidhi Maran (Grandson of Mr. Karunanidhi) was inducted in to the Union Cabinet as Telecom Minister in 2004, one of the reason cited by Karunanidhi for his induction is his knowledge over Hindi. He never felt ashamed for it. A person who is against the study and usage of Hindi, takes pride when his family member has proficiency in Hindi. This is his true colour and his struggle for development of Tamil.
Self-no respect & irrational.
Karunanidhi take pride in calling himself self-respect and rationalist leader. The truth is he neither self-respect nor rationalist. He bowed before Indira Gandhi to let him off from the clutches of Sarakaria Commission of inquiry. He bowed before the High-Court when he was inquired for burning copies of Constitution. (One of his laughable explanation was that he burnt only piece of papers and not constitution). He prostrated at the feet of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, who is about to order an inquiry in to the Telecom Corruption. (Corruption during allotment of Spectrum in Telecommunication).
He has no belief in rationalistic thinking. He never stopped his family members from visiting temples. He never avoided taking part in Ramzan festivals. He never said any word against Islam or Christianity. He extends wishes on the occasion of Christmas, Id-ul-fitr, Ramzan, etc. He praised Jesus and Buddha in public. He takes pride in running the Chariot of Tiruvarur Temple. He nominates officers and scholars from Brahmin community as his secretaries and advisors. His relatives have married Brahmin brides/grooms. He criticizes when people pray Vigneswara and garland the statue. But he himself garland Periyar and Anna statues. What kind of rationalism is this?
Love of Posts.
In 1989, though his party has been routed in the parliamentary elections, he never shied away and got a Ministry for his nephew Murasoli Maran in the V.P.Singh’s Cabinet.
In 1998 the Gujral government was brought down by the Congress when Mr. Gujral has refused their request for dismissing the DMK ministers from the Cabinet. Shamelessly Karunanidhi joined hands with the Congress in 2004 parliamentary elections. Again he joined the Vajpayee Government at the center, fully knowing well that the BJP is involved in bringing down the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya and the party is based on Hindutva ideology. After fully enjoyed the fruits of the Ministry, he walked away from BJP and joined hands with the Congress.
Classic way of enrichment.
Karunanidhi says that he was instrumental in declaring Tamil as classical language. This is foolish. A language, whose birth and tradition is unknown and immemorial, whose literature and grammar are immense, not requires some body to say it is Classical. The Unites Nations has already identified Tamil as one of the living Classical language (Other being Chinese). Other classical languages like Sanskrit, Latin and Greek are living only in the papers. But after declaring Tamil by the Central Government what Karunanidhi has achieved is an office for his daughter and publishing centers for his books. In fact he has disreputed Tamil when the same central government has adorned the classical language status also to Kannada, which is of recent origin when compared to Tamil and it is offspring of Tamil and Telugu.
Father of Water crisis.
Karunanidhi was the person from whom entire trouble for Tamil Nadu either started or groomed. Some of the present crisis facing Tamil Nadu are hand work of Mr. Karunanidhi.
He was the Chief Minister when the Cauvery agreement elapsed in 1974. He has not shown any interest in renewing the agreement. He has given ‘no-objection certificate’ to the Karnataka Government to construct number of dams across River Cauvery. A case was filed in the Supreme Court on a resolution passed by the Assembly on getting the due share in Cauvery. He withdrew the Case on intimidation from Indira Gandhi, as a quid pro quo to release him from the Sarakaria accusations. He has shown least interest in getting the share of water from the Karnataka Government. After Jayalalithaa’s immense pressure and fight a favourable judgment was obtained from the Supreme Court. But Karunanidhi has not taken interest to publish it in the Gazette of India. He prophesied Jayalalithaa not to involve the state in war against the neighbouring states. Instead advised her to go for talks. But what he has done in his tenure is neither talk nor war. It is learnt his relatives have business interest in Bangalore and hence he is hesitant to take any step against Karnataka. Instead it is easy for him to pledge the interest of Tamil Nadu.
Jayalalithaa won the case in Supreme Court which allowed the State Government to raise the level of Mullai-Periyar dam to 146 feet. But Karunanidhi has not taken any step to raise the level under pressure from his Keralite Marxist ally. Again the interest of Tamil Nadu was let flown in to the air.
Jayalalithaa laid the foundation Hoggenekal Water project for supply of hundreds of villages in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. But Mr. Karunanidhi has made the issue an inter-state problem fully knowing well that Hoggenekal lies within Tamil Nadu. He suspended the project work to help his Congress ally in Karnataka to win. He said that the project is suspended till the completion of Assembly elections in Karnataka in May 2008. Even after passing one year the work has not started. Such was his conviction.
When the Rajasekara reddy government in Andhra Pradesh started ground works for construction of check dam across River Palar, Jayalalithaa objected to it. Hence he stopped activities. Once Karunanidhi got elected in 2006, he started the work and till date Karunanidhi has not taken any concreted steps to stop the constructions.
He instigated the people of Cuddalore and Neyveli against Jayalalithaa when she involved herself to bring water from Lake Veeranam to Chennai for drinking purposes.
He got plumb posts in the union cabinet and for that matter he openly initiated protests and challenges to the Congress. But to save the interest of Tamils in Srilanka and India, he advises his party men to send telegrams and post cards to the Prime Minister in the era of SMS and Mobile Phones.
How all this can be possible? Is it possible in other parts of the world. May be there are Idi Amins or Imelda Marcos. But they swindled money openly with Anarchy. But out hero mesmerized the people of Tamil Nadu, especially his followers and still enjoy considerable clout among them. What he says is Bible for them. They will jump in to the well once he orders so. Such was the idiotic idol worship they follow. What is laughable is these very persons say with pride that they are ‘rationalists’. Let’s see the artistic articulation of this man, who gradually but definitely stepped up the ladder of power and keeps entire state under his grip.
It is known fact that those who are under privileged or under the grip of poverty or without any basic education will thrive vigorously to come-up in life. Their fight with the life will be terrible. Hence, Mr. Karunanidhi, who is under the grip of poverty, is in search of jobs that are easy enough to fetch high returns. He joined the Rationalist movement, whose political out fit is the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK-meaning a Society for the Development of Dravidians-a Race in South India). The DMK which was founded by Dr. C. N. Annadurai and five others swept to Power in 1967. Immediately after a year in power Annadurai passed away and Mr. Karunanidhi become Chief Minister of the State. He super ceded other tall senior leaders with the backing of popular film star Mr. M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). People belive that MGR was instrumental in driving DMK to power in 1971, when he was shot by another film star in a verbal tussle. Second time Mr. Karunanidhi was sworn in. He goes on to become Chief Minister during 1989, 1996 & 2006.
Elevation.
Each an every time he becomes Chief Minister with the support of external elements and certainly with his oratorical skills. He bent entire DMK mass in his favour and against the senior leaders who are to become Chief Minister after the demise of Annadurai in 1968. He bagged the support of MGR, whose fans form a chunk of DMK followers. Again in 1971, he become Chief Minister, driving happily on the sympathetic votes cast in MGR’s favour when he was shot. He thought that MGR was a threat to his post and immediately after taking oath he expelled MGR from the party in 1972. Though that was a mistake committed by him, he never realized it. MGR founded AIADMK and it ruled the state till 1987 when MGR dead. Mr. Karunanidhi become Chief Minister in 1989, when the MGR’s party was split in the middle and lost recognition. Mr. Karunanidhi achieved the feat once again 1996, when popular film star Rajnikanth and congress leader Mooppanar opposed Jayalalithaa (political heir apparent of MGR and general secretary of united AIADMK, who was the Chief Minister during 1991-96) supported Karunanidhi unconditionally. He become Chief Minister in 2006, when the allies of Jayalalithaa joined Karunanidhi and supported him against the arrogant style of functioning of Jayalalithaa.
Descending
He lost power in 1975, when his government was dismissed by Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, on the charges of corruption. This was the first and only time that a State Government in India was dismissed on the charges of corruption. Many of his ministers and party men were put behind the bars and Emergency was clamped all over the Country. The state was saved from becoming bankrupt.
He lost power again in 1991, when his government was dismissed by Prime Minister Mr. Chandrasekar, on the charges of passing State Secrecy to banned terror out fits and threatening the safety of the Country. This was unique in India as no other state governments were dismissed on similar charges so far. The terror out fits have been groomed to such extent and played havoc that a former Prime Minister, who is likely to come back to power in the following elections, was human-bombed to death during an electoral rally. Tamil Nadu was the only State which was free from terror activities till that instant happened on its soil.
He lost the government again in 2001, when Jayalalithaa formed a grand alliance and defeated him in the elections. His misrule and revengeful activities against Jayalalithaa went against him. People suspected that he was instrumental in dismissing the nomination papers of Jayalalithaa in the 2001 elections and prevented her from being contesting the elections.
Mr. Karunanidhi has done many things during his tenures as Chief Minister and an important ally at the Center. They centered only around his family and friends and caused damage to the interest of Tamil Nadu at large. He meticulously advocates the sentiments of Tamils, Tamil pride, Tamil culture, Tamil language, North-South divide, Brahmin-non Brahmin divide, etc., only to enrich his own treasure and remain in power. All these sentiments have not paid any dividend to the State, but remained detrimental to the development of the State. Let’s see how his games damaged Tamil Nadu.
Karunanidhi was the first Chief Minister to be named and accused as No. 1 culprit in a corruption case. Justice Sarkaria found him guilty of corruption in various cases, like purchase of pesticides, urea during his first tenure. His government was dismissed later by Indira Gandhi, based on the Sarakaria report.
Love for Tamil
He was one of the advocates campaigning against the use of Hindi in Tamil Nadu. Their argument was that Hindi will destroy Tamil, if it is given importance. Alas! They do not know the fact that Tamil was Oldest of all languages and withstand all the onslaught by centuries. In fact, Sanskrit, whose important over shadowed Tamil during the medieval period lost its base and remained in book shelves. Such was the pride of Tamil. But Hindi is of recent origin. It has only about 500 years of history. It is unknown before Tulsidas. However Karunanidhi and others showcased the invented fear and blown the public sentiment. Anti-Hindi agitation was the only agitation championed vigorously by a section of people during the independent India. Pandit Nehru respected the public sentiment and withdrawn Hindi from Tamil Nadu. Till date only bilingual formula is adapted in Tamil Nadu.
But what Mr. karunanidhi and his coterie are doing. They have let their own kith and kin to study Hindi and English. They prevented others, particularly poor and village people from studying Hindi. In Tamil Nadu, barring the Government Schools, Hindi is being taught in all schools. The poor and helpless study only Tamil and the well-to-do people study all. Mr. Dayanidhi Maran (Grandson of Mr. Karunanidhi) was inducted in to the Union Cabinet as Telecom Minister in 2004, one of the reason cited by Karunanidhi for his induction is his knowledge over Hindi. He never felt ashamed for it. A person who is against the study and usage of Hindi, takes pride when his family member has proficiency in Hindi. This is his true colour and his struggle for development of Tamil.
Self-no respect & irrational.
Karunanidhi take pride in calling himself self-respect and rationalist leader. The truth is he neither self-respect nor rationalist. He bowed before Indira Gandhi to let him off from the clutches of Sarakaria Commission of inquiry. He bowed before the High-Court when he was inquired for burning copies of Constitution. (One of his laughable explanation was that he burnt only piece of papers and not constitution). He prostrated at the feet of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, who is about to order an inquiry in to the Telecom Corruption. (Corruption during allotment of Spectrum in Telecommunication).
He has no belief in rationalistic thinking. He never stopped his family members from visiting temples. He never avoided taking part in Ramzan festivals. He never said any word against Islam or Christianity. He extends wishes on the occasion of Christmas, Id-ul-fitr, Ramzan, etc. He praised Jesus and Buddha in public. He takes pride in running the Chariot of Tiruvarur Temple. He nominates officers and scholars from Brahmin community as his secretaries and advisors. His relatives have married Brahmin brides/grooms. He criticizes when people pray Vigneswara and garland the statue. But he himself garland Periyar and Anna statues. What kind of rationalism is this?
Love of Posts.
In 1989, though his party has been routed in the parliamentary elections, he never shied away and got a Ministry for his nephew Murasoli Maran in the V.P.Singh’s Cabinet.
In 1998 the Gujral government was brought down by the Congress when Mr. Gujral has refused their request for dismissing the DMK ministers from the Cabinet. Shamelessly Karunanidhi joined hands with the Congress in 2004 parliamentary elections. Again he joined the Vajpayee Government at the center, fully knowing well that the BJP is involved in bringing down the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya and the party is based on Hindutva ideology. After fully enjoyed the fruits of the Ministry, he walked away from BJP and joined hands with the Congress.
Classic way of enrichment.
Karunanidhi says that he was instrumental in declaring Tamil as classical language. This is foolish. A language, whose birth and tradition is unknown and immemorial, whose literature and grammar are immense, not requires some body to say it is Classical. The Unites Nations has already identified Tamil as one of the living Classical language (Other being Chinese). Other classical languages like Sanskrit, Latin and Greek are living only in the papers. But after declaring Tamil by the Central Government what Karunanidhi has achieved is an office for his daughter and publishing centers for his books. In fact he has disreputed Tamil when the same central government has adorned the classical language status also to Kannada, which is of recent origin when compared to Tamil and it is offspring of Tamil and Telugu.
Father of Water crisis.
Karunanidhi was the person from whom entire trouble for Tamil Nadu either started or groomed. Some of the present crisis facing Tamil Nadu are hand work of Mr. Karunanidhi.
He was the Chief Minister when the Cauvery agreement elapsed in 1974. He has not shown any interest in renewing the agreement. He has given ‘no-objection certificate’ to the Karnataka Government to construct number of dams across River Cauvery. A case was filed in the Supreme Court on a resolution passed by the Assembly on getting the due share in Cauvery. He withdrew the Case on intimidation from Indira Gandhi, as a quid pro quo to release him from the Sarakaria accusations. He has shown least interest in getting the share of water from the Karnataka Government. After Jayalalithaa’s immense pressure and fight a favourable judgment was obtained from the Supreme Court. But Karunanidhi has not taken interest to publish it in the Gazette of India. He prophesied Jayalalithaa not to involve the state in war against the neighbouring states. Instead advised her to go for talks. But what he has done in his tenure is neither talk nor war. It is learnt his relatives have business interest in Bangalore and hence he is hesitant to take any step against Karnataka. Instead it is easy for him to pledge the interest of Tamil Nadu.
Jayalalithaa won the case in Supreme Court which allowed the State Government to raise the level of Mullai-Periyar dam to 146 feet. But Karunanidhi has not taken any step to raise the level under pressure from his Keralite Marxist ally. Again the interest of Tamil Nadu was let flown in to the air.
Jayalalithaa laid the foundation Hoggenekal Water project for supply of hundreds of villages in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. But Mr. Karunanidhi has made the issue an inter-state problem fully knowing well that Hoggenekal lies within Tamil Nadu. He suspended the project work to help his Congress ally in Karnataka to win. He said that the project is suspended till the completion of Assembly elections in Karnataka in May 2008. Even after passing one year the work has not started. Such was his conviction.
When the Rajasekara reddy government in Andhra Pradesh started ground works for construction of check dam across River Palar, Jayalalithaa objected to it. Hence he stopped activities. Once Karunanidhi got elected in 2006, he started the work and till date Karunanidhi has not taken any concreted steps to stop the constructions.
He instigated the people of Cuddalore and Neyveli against Jayalalithaa when she involved herself to bring water from Lake Veeranam to Chennai for drinking purposes.
He got plumb posts in the union cabinet and for that matter he openly initiated protests and challenges to the Congress. But to save the interest of Tamils in Srilanka and India, he advises his party men to send telegrams and post cards to the Prime Minister in the era of SMS and Mobile Phones.
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