Pollachi, Dec 12: Maragatham Meenakshi, the granddaughter of freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC), has strongly criticised the DMK government for what she calls using her grandfather’s name for political purposes without giving him proper recognition.Speaking in Pollachi, Meenakshi questioned why so few universities or institutions in Tamil Nadu are named after VOC, despite his role in India’s freedom struggle. She said she cannot accept the DMK dressing up in VOC’s name for political reasons.
Her comments came after a DMK leader R. Siva raised questions in the Rajya Sabha, asking whether leaders from Tamil Nadu like VOC, Subramania Bharathi, and Veerapandiya Kattabomman are well known in northern India, and why the central government has not done more to honour them.
Meenakshi added that when there was a chance to install a statue of VOC in the Parliament complex, the government chose to place one of Murasoli Maran instead. She also called for VOC’s work “Meyyarathai” to be taught in schools, saying it teaches important moral values.
She accused political leaders of focusing on short-term gains instead of truly honouring freedom fighters, and expressed her disappointment with the current approach.