Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has strongly objected to the ongoing public controversies surrounding freedom fighter and former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, stating that such debates in public spaces are inappropriate.
In a statement shared on social media, Stalin said, “Let us not give space to the malicious intentions of those who try to create unrest.” He recalled how revered leaders like Periyar called Kamarajar the “pure Tamilian,” and how C.N. Annadurai decided not to field a candidate against him during the Gudiyatham by-election. He further noted that former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi stood by Kamarajar like a son during his final rites, built a memorial for him, and declared his birthday as Education Development Day. Stalin also reminisced about Kamarajar personally attending his wedding to bless him, despite his poor health.
The Chief Minister emphasized that every opinion about respected leaders must be expressed with dignity and in a manner that upholds social justice. “Let us all work together to fulfill the dreams of the great leader who dedicated his life to building social justice and secular harmony. Let us avoid meaningless debates,” he said.
Stalin’s remarks come amidst a political row sparked by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva’s statement that Kamarajar would not sleep without air-conditioning and had urged Karunanidhi to save the country and democracy before his death.
This triggered backlash from leaders including NTK’s Seeman, BJP’s Annamalai, and members of the Congress. CM Stalin’s latest statement is seen as a call for restraint and respect in public discourse.
Meanwhile, over 50 members of the Congress party, including state general secretary and lawyer Saravanan, were arrested in Tiruchirappalli today as they attempted to blockade the residence of Member of Parliament Tiruchi Siva.
The protest erupted in response to a controversial speech delivered by Tiruchi Siva concerning former Chief Minister Kamaraj.
Lawyer Saravanan had publicly announced the protest, demanding an unconditional apology from Tiruchi Siva for his “defamatory” remarks about Kamaraj, whom he reverently described as a “human god.”
Saravanan emphasized that the people of Tamil Nadu had never witnessed a government as exemplary as Kamaraj’s and refuted Siva’s claim regarding the installation of an air conditioner for Kamaraj in a government hostel.
Police intervened near the VOC statue, apprehending the protestors, including Saravanan. They were subsequently held at an auditorium on the Westry School grounds.