Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani unveils the portrait of ‘Murasoli’ Selvam in the presence of M.K. Stalin (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), Durai Murugan (General Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), N.Ram (The Hindu Group of Publications), Prof.M. Naganathan and Actor S. Sathyaraj – Chennai, 21st October 2024.
DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday accepted the request of Dravidar Kazhagam president K.Veeramani to establish an institute of Dravidian journalism named after Selvam, the former editor of Murasoli.
Speaking during a remembrance event in Chennai, Mr. Stalin also announced that a trust would be established in memory of Selvam, which would honour works on the Dravidian movement and the people behind them every year. Prizes from the Trust would be awarded during the party’s Mupperum Vizha held every year, Mr.Stalin said.
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Fondly recalling his relationship with his late brother-in-law, Mr.Stalin said he was heartbroken over his death, and still could not come to terms with it.
Veteran journalist and Director of The Hindu N.Ram recalled the fearlessness of Selvam and how he was a guide to many. He described Selvam as a leader of the freedom of the press. Mr.Ram also recalled a well-reasoned article, ‘Kokkendru Ninaithara Thamizhaga Alunar Ravi’, published in Murasoli in 2022, which criticised the actions of Governor R.N. Ravi. “He was the first in the journalism industry to challenge the Governor,” he said.
Mr. Ram said Selvam did not compromise on the freedom of the press, which was evident from two specific instances – when Selvam was summoned to the Assembly over a breach of privilege issue, and when he faced a breach of privilege for having republished an editorial of The Hindu, ‘Rising Intolerance’, in Murasoli.
DMK general secretary and Minister Duraimurugan shared several anecdotes to underline his close relationship with Selvam since 1962. “If he had wished, he could have got any post in the DMK. But he did not. Even when we tried to force him, he refused,” Mr.Duraimurugan said, and underlined the clout Selvam had in making anyone an MLA or an MP.
Mr. Veeramani said Selvam was never in the limelight, but his writings were sharp and incisive. Just as the Dravidar Kazhagam and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam were together a double-barrel gun, so were their respective party organs – Viduthalai and Murasoli, he said.
Former Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Commission M.Naganathan and actor Sathyaraj recalled their association with Selvam.
Courtesy: ‘The Hindu’ – 22nd October 2024
