Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam confers the Award, ‘Historical Hero of Social Justice’ on Respectful M.K.Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the Celebration of Kalaignar Centenary by Dravidar Kazhagam. (Thanjavur – 6th October 2023)
At the time of celebration of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Centenary, a grand felicitation was held by the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) on 6th October 2023 in Thanjavur to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru.M.K.Stalin. The President of the DK, Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani conferred on him the Award ‘Historical Hero of Social Justice’. The citation also hailed him as the unparalleled Chief Minister of Dravidian Model Government. Accepting the Award, Thiru.M.K.Stalin delivered his speech of thanks. The content of his speech was as follows:
Respectful dignitaries and my beloved well-wishers, a book compiled by Asiriyar – ‘Thai Veettil Kalaignar’ – (Kalaignar at his Home) – is launched today on this memorable occasion.Kalaignar once hailed Periyar by commending that he was a volcanic eruption in Erode, that crumbled the regressive antique world. Periyar was indeed the Sun of Rationalism. Dravidar Kazhagam was founded by him. It was the Home for Kalaignar. Hence, the title of Asiriyar’s book is really quite appropriate. It was not only the Home for Kalaignar but for me too, undeniably. When I left for the book launch, I felt I was leaving only to reach my own home. I have arrived on this stage with that overwhelming love for the Dravidar Kazhagam. For Kalaignar and I, it is a maternal abode.
It is highly significant that this event is being held during Kalaignar’s birth centenary year. Asiriyar implies that he would always be strengthening my hands. He has resolved to restlessly serve society. He inspires me to follow in his foot prints and carry on with my noble tasks. I shall obey his command and accomplish my duties emulating him at all times. I convey my hearty thanks to the Distinguished Tamil Stalwart Asiriyar for organising this historical event to felicitate me and to confer a prestigious award on me. I sincerely acknowledge with profound gratitude the honour being bestowed on me by the President of the Dravidar Kazhagam, respectful Asiriyar.
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The Dravidar Kazhagam richly deserves the responsibility of celebrating Kalaignar’s birth centenary. Long before the birth of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam its leader Kalaignar was a brave warrior in the self-respect movement and a Stalwart in the Dravidar Kazhagam. Kalaignar had met Thanthai Periyar much before meeting Arignar Anna. In 1937 a meeting was held beside the Kamalalayam Tank in Thiruvarur. Kalaignar heard there Periyar’s Speech for the first time. He used to recall how Periyar was clad brightly adorned by an orange shawl on that particular day. Kalaignar used to describe Periyar’s dazzling appearance. When Kalaignar was a student of Thiruvarur High School, he skipped his final year S.S.L.C. exam in order to listen to Thanthai Periyar’s speech during a propaganda tour. Eventually, Kalaignar failed in that final school exam.
Kalaignar used to say proudly – “I failed only in my school education but I passed successfully in the school of Thanthai Periyar.”
“My education was confined to the Erode School and Kanchipuram College” – Kalaignar used to say so proudly as if he had been graduated from ten Universities. Periyar was a native of Erode city in Tamil Nadu. He was the institution of Kalaignar. He considered Periyar as “Erode Gurukulam” because he was a pupil and Periyar was his master. Therefore, quite aptly, Kalaignar’s birth centenary is being celebrated on behalf of the venerable ‘Erode Gurukulam’. In my opinion the celebration is certainly appropriate from that point of view.
After the passing away of Arignar Anna some people tried to create some confusion and disturbance in the State. At that juncture Kalaignar declined the post of the Chief Minister but Thanthai Periyar advised him saying— “You should assume the post of the Chief Minister. Only that could save the movement, the Tamil race, and the entire Tamil Population.” During those crucial days, it was Asiriyar who met Kalaignar like the trusted messenger of Periyar. In that sense it can be said that it was none other than Thanthai Periyar who made Kalaignar the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Kalaignar’s statue was installed in Chennai, at first by Annai Maniammaiar. Today our beloved Asiriyar is celebrating Kalaignar’s birth centenary in a grand manner. Besides, a classic under the title “Thai Veettil Kalaignar” is also launched and released today by him.
If Thanthai Periyar, Annai Maniammaiar and respectful Asiriyar were the trio as the linch pin of the Dravidar Kazhagam, Perarignar Anna, Kalaignar and I have been serving the Dravidar Kazhagam continuously with collective efforts for three consecutive generations. As the Dravidian Movement is a contribution of the black and the red, we two movements exist together and shall continue to exist together united for ever.
For 50 long years Kalaignar was the leader of the DMK movement. For five terms he was the Chief Minister of this State. By just a gesture through his eyes he brought out Indian Prime Ministers and Presidents. But when Kalaignar was asked how he would like himself to be identified, he replied – “as a Respectful Self Respector”. 95 long years of Kalaignar’s life get embedded in that one sentence of his.
Kalaignar, who felt proud of being identified as “Respectful Self Respector” contributed many articles to ‘Kudi Arasu’ while Periyar mesmerised people by his thundering speeches on stages. Our Asiriyar has compiled them all and published as a large collection under the title “Thai Veettil Kalaignar” (‘Kalaignar in his Maternal Abode’).
Kalaignar wrote for us and gave six volumes under the title “Nenjukku Needhi” (Justice for the Heart). This volume has come out excelling it as the seventh volume. Calling it a sequel of Kalaignar’s work would be quite appropriate.
Kalaignar served ‘Kudi Arasu’ as its Sub-editor drawing merely 40 Rupees as Salary. For about a year he was fed by Annai Maniammaiar. He created the Dravidar Kazhagam flag; the red part signifying by his blood drops. When Kalaignar was attacked and assaulted in Puducherry, Periyar rushed and treated his wounds, making him rest on his lap. When my elder brother M.K.Muthu was born, Kalaignar made Periyar take the child in his arms. When my elder brother Azhagiri got married, Periyar attended and greeted the couple. All these incidents and many other memorable anecdotes have found places in this invaluable volume compiled by our Asiriyar.
I recall one unforgettable incident today. When my elder brother Azhagiri got married at Periyar Thidal in Chennai, the Wedding feast was held in Gopalapuram. I myself served food to Periyar. This volume deserves to adorn the home of every Tamil. I wholeheartedly thank and commend Asiriyar for bringing out this treasure in print. I don’t merely thank but I revere him too for this work. I am at a loss of words to offer my obeisance.
The intimacy and relationship between our twin movements cannot be found between any such pair of movements in the entire world. I am sure no one can point out their existence anywhere on the earth.
I don’t deny that there were mutual recriminations too at times. An elephant generally kicks and stamps the baby elephant only to train it and make it fit for survival. Similarly, Periyar took the liberty to chide us at times, only to correct us and make us move in the right direction, according to Kalaignar’s comment. Kalaignar had a sentimental attachment with Thanthai Periyar. It was today enacted as an instance on this stage itself.
When Periyar passed away, the Chief Minister Kalaignar decided to have the funeral with State honor. He announced – “The State should honor Periyar!” A Senior Officer grumbled – “But he never held any post or position in the Government.” Kalaignar retorted immediately – “Gandhi was honoured by the Government. Which Post did he hold in the Government?” The Officer adamantly protested saying – “If the State Government takes such a decision it would invite the wrath of the Union Government.”
Kalaignar asked – “What would they do if they are furious?
The officer replied – “They may even dismiss our rule.”
Kalaignar sternly said with an unflinching resolve –“If my Government is toppled on this ground, what else could be a matter of pride for me?” This conversation and heated argument were held not at our DMK Head Quarters ‘Arivalayam’ but at the Secretariat in the Fort St.George.
Though Kalaignar reigned from the Fort of Tamil Nadu, he was in fact the Chieftain of the ideological fort called Periyar. Arignar Anna declared his rule was dedicated to Periyar. It was Kalaignar who firmly said – “The Government of Tamil Nadu is Periyar; Periyar is the Government of Tamil Nadu.” I gladly second what Kalaignar had said. The sound of the applause of the audience here proves that all of you agree with me. The State of Tamil Nadu should emerge self sufficient in all respects and reach glorious heights as a State developed in all spheres. Federalism should be the base of the Union Government of India. This is my dream.
All the national identities must grow with equal rights. All the State languages must rise to the status of the official language of the Union Government. Every one’s voice should be equally respected and attentively heard. That is the way the Indian Union Government and Tamil Nadu, as an inclusive part of it, should function. We have formed I.N.D.I.A. Alliance with the objective of establishing such a rule based on the ideal of true federalism. It is not a political alliance but an ideological alliance. We have not formed it with the electoral victory in mind. We act bearing in mind the policy that has to reign supreme after our victory in the election.
We must retrieve all our rights we lost till this day. They would be retrieved. We shall get them back at any cost. They are – education rights, rights for justice, social justice rights, language rights communal rights, and the right for State Autonomy. We shall get back all these rights that we have lost.
Some toxic forces are trying to harm the rights of the Assembly of Tamil Nadu and the rights of the republic. We must protest against such vested interests. Under the pretext of a fall in population, they are planning cunningly to reduce the number of Parliament constituencies. To punish Tamil Nadu for perfectly implementing the Family Planning Scheme, they are bent upon reducing the strength of the Parliament members. If 39 MPs are sent by Tamil Nadu, it is only to talk about our rights on our behalf and to stress our rights firmly. It would be reasonable if the number of MPs is increased, but it should never be reduced under any circumstance.
The BJP headed Union Government declared 33 per cent reservation for Women, but has it implemented fully, wholeheartedly as per its announcement? To say that it would be implemented after Census and Delimitation of Constituencies clearly implies the ploy to avoid fulfilment of the promise. Particularly, refusing to grant reservation for the women of other Backward Classes shows the mentality of the Upper Caste coteries. With the passage of time, there is a possible danger of wiping off even the reservation for the Scheduled Caste people.
In the arena of people, all the cadres of the DK, and the DMK Movements, the followers of Periyar Thought and all other like – minded people must carry on with the task of spreading our Policies and Principles tirelessly without any lapse. This is my earnest appeal. Kalaignar thundered – “Let Veeramani always Win!” I take pleasure in seconding it. If we advise Asiriyar to rest, he would angrily say—“Never. I would rust if I rest!” He hates such a request by which we show only our interest in his sound health.
And yet, it is my duty to request him to rest. Asiriyar must outlive Periyar and Kalaignar. Kalaignar used to say – “We were behind Periyar throughout his life. Veeramani is behind the extension of Periyar Glory.”
Asiriyar should live longer in order to spread Periyar’s glory at hectic speed all over the wide world.
Thanks to everyone in the venue.
I shall lay down my entire life for the cause of ‘SOCIAL JUSTICE’
On this day of Felicitation organised by the Dravidar Kazhagam, I swear that I would lay down my entire life to protect and safeguard Tamil language, Tamils and Tamil Nadu – and that I shall dedicate my whole life to make equality, egalitarianism, brotherhood and social justice flourish all over India and that I shall strive for ever to protect those noble ideals.
This Felicitation is being held not merely to commend and hail whatever little I have accomplished so far. This event is meant to remind me that I still have a long way to go and much to achieve. On this occasion, Asiriyar has implied that he is always behind me to guide and inspire. I shall make use of this opportunity to the best possible extent. Let us all make the voice of Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar reverberate in the Assembly and the Parliament and spread their Policies and Principles.
Asiriyar was my protector – he is my protector even today!
-M.K. STALIN
I would like to resolutely say that I shall go anywhere and at any time – if Asiriyar invites me. I shall obey him at his beck and call, at all times. He had been my protector in the past. He still continues protecting me.
Particularly, during the Emergency Period, when I was lodged under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) in a dark cell, it was Asiriyar who comforted me and made me much stronger. Kalaignar used to say that Asiriyar Veeramani was a great solace for him in the absence of Periyar and Anna. According to me, in their absence and in the absence of Kalaignar, our beloved Asiriyar is a great moral support for me and an ideological guide. Hence I often say that Periyar Thidal decides my path, route and destination. Yesterday I said so. Today I am saying so. And I shall say so tomorrow too.
When DMK was formed, Arignar Anna said – “This party is not to compete with the Dravidar Kazhagam. It is to propagate the same policies in a different manner and to implement them. Anna said so in a crystal clear manner.
Once Arignar Anna said – “The D.K. and the D.M.K. are like double – barrel guns.
Kalaignar once said — “The D.K. and the D.M.K. are like two sides of the same coin.”
According to me, the D.K. and the D.M.K. are like my life and my senses.
Just as the body functions by the joint support of life and sense, we are striving to make humanity reach greater heights.
