Talk:M. Karunanidhi

Early Years

Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924, in the village of Thirukuvalai, near Thiruvarur in Tanjore district, the granary of Tamil Nadu. His father Muthuvel was a scholar and a pandit, and his mother Anjugam, a devoted and loving housewife. "I was not the pet child of an affluent home. I was born of ordinary peasant stock, in a little village," said Karunanidhi.

As a student, he did not envince much inclination for routine studies. But he had a keen taste for drama, poetry, and Tamil literature. As a lad of 13, he plunged into a cultural and social movement, attracted by the great orator Alagiriswami, a pillar of the then Justice Party, who came to Thiruvarur to address a meeting in 1932. The seeds of public spirit and service were sown in him by Alagiriswami.

As a teenager, he gathered all the students of the locality, and formed them into a reformist association of youth. The Sangam as it was termed, provided a form for the boys to train themselves in the arts of speaking and writing. He soon extended the Sangam's sphere of activities to make it a statewide organization styled "All Students' Unity Kazhagam" A single-sheet bulletin, named Manavar Nesan was circulated among its members. The writings of Karunanidhi, usually marked by a lofty style and literary flourish, became very popular among the Tamil youth. His eloquent speeches, along with his writing ability, made him a natural leader of the students.

At a student's convention in Tanjore, Karunanidhi was enlisted as an important participant. But when he understood that the organising body had ulterior political objectives, he withdrew from the convention. As a counter move he started a new organisation called 'Tamil Manavar Manram', where he brought together all young people with a love for the Tamil tongue and culture. It was under the auspices of the manram that the now popular newspaper 'Murasoli' was born.

Besides these cultural activities, Karunanidhi involved himself and the student community in social work. Along with his comrades, he would visit the nearby hutments to do all that was possible within his limits. This was indeed a fitting apprenticeship for his later years as a Chief Minister

Entry into Politics

It was on the first anniversary celebrations of 'Murasoli' and 'Manavar Mandram' that Karunanidhi came into contact with student leaders like Anbazhagan, Nedunchezhiyan & Mathiazhagan, who were his ministerial colleagues later.

Karunanidhi who was a gifted stage artiste, put up a play titled Shanti, under the banner Davida Nataka Manram in Pondicherry. In this play he rendered the role of Sivaguru, which received much applause. This aroused the wrath of Congressmen, and there was resistance to the Dravidan movement. But the impact of this play made both Periyar & Annadurai visit Pondicherry and address a public meeting. Chaos followed the meeting, which was disturbed by miscreants. Karunanidhi was assaulted on the way back to his Manavar Manram. He was unconscious, when a kind neighbour nursed him back to consciousness in his house.

When the Justice party was transformed to Dravida Kazhagam, Karunanidhi designed the party flag. A black flag with a red circle was decided tentatively. It is said that Karunanidhi drew the red circle with his blood as a beginning for all the blood he shed for the honour of the party and the Tamils. The black was a reminder to the backwardness of the people who the party were keen on liberating, and the red circle represented the progressive aspirations of the Dravida Kazhagam.

Karunanidhi the Scriptwriter

At the age of 20, Karunanidhi went to work for Jupiter Pictures as a script writer. His first film 'Rajakumari', gained him much popularity. It was here that his skills as a script writer were honed. He wrote more than 70 screenplays including Rajakumari, Abhimanyu, Mandiri Kumari, Marutha Naattu Ilavarasi, Manamagan, Devaki, Parasakthi, Panam, Thirumbipaar, Naam, Manohara, Ammaiappan, Malai Kallan, Rangoon Radha, Raja Rani, [[Puthaiyal], Pudhumai Pithan, Ellorum Innattu Mannar, Kuravanchi, Thayillapillai, Kanchi Thalaivan, Poompuhar, Poomalai, Mani Makudam, Marakka Mudiyuma? Avan Pithana? Pookkari, Needhikku Thandanai, Paalaivana Rojakkal, Pasa Paravaikal, Padadha Theneekkal, Niyaya Tharasu.

Activist

Karunanidhi was instrumental in the Kallakudi struggle to rename Dalmiapuram railway Station. Karunanidhi was entrusted with the task of organizing the struggle. The cadres were divided into three batches, and Karunanidhi lead the batch which lay down on the railway station, blocking the train. They were promptly arrested, the second group also met the same fate. When the third group lead by Kannadasan took its turn chaos broke, the police resorted to firing leading to the death of two. Karunanidhi was lodged in Thiruchirapalli Central Jail.

Even in jail he set up a shadow government, and allocated responsibilities to everyone of his cadres. During his periods in jail (he was incarcerated more than seven times between 1953 and 1965), Karunanidhi read and wrote extensively in prison.

DMK,the early Years

Karunanidhi contested the 1957 elections from Kulithalai constituency. This made the beginning for both Karunanidhi and the Dravida Munetra Kalagam. In 1967 they swept to power. Navalar Nedunchazhiyan was elected General Sectretary, and Karunanidhi became its Treasurer.

In 1957, the DMK convened, an anti-Hindi conference, to thwart the plans of the then Central Government to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu. An anti-Hindi day was observed on October 13, 1957. They conducted a peaceful but massive agitation.

His party was indicted by the Sarkaria commission for corruption in alotting tenders for the Veeranam project . However the case was not pursued further. The Interim report of Justice Jain commission which oversaw the investigation into Rajiv Gandhi's assassination indicted Karunanidhi for abetting the LTTE . The report recommended that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the DMK party be held responsible for abetting Rajiv Gandhi's murderers. They were later cleared of the charges.

Can anyone forget this?

Volume VII of that Report had concluded that "the conclusion is irresistible that there was tacit support to the LTTE by Shri M. Karunanidhi and his Government, and law enforcing agencies" (Volume VII, page 944, paragraph 73.32)

Biography

There is way too much of propaganda being put here by anti-DMK people.This is supposed to be a biography of Karunanidhi...not some online political forum for political attacks.

The person who edits this article as HornStop or something like that should be banned.He removes sourced articles and includes only those articles that talk against Karunanidhi.He even removed a line which merely said that Karunanidhi has a great command of Tamil.

Wikipedia Editors,PLEASE TAKE NOTE and ban this person.Thanks.

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The person, who wrote the above is clearly a follower of Dr.Karunanidhi. Outside Tamil Nadu, such people are requested to behave in a civilized manner. Rather than asking for ban, why not rebut the points? Would it not settle the matter more amicably? ---20:47, 14 July 2006 (UTC)~~

Is the biography link of Karunanidhi or of Dr. Kalaignar? --Hemanshu 18:16, 25 May 2004 (UTC)

If I understand your question correctly, my answer is both. Karunanidhi's full name is Muthuvel Karunanidhi, whereas Kalaignar is an epithet. The word Kalaignar means artist. Sundar 04:35, May 26, 2004 (UTC)

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=> [removed as per WP:BLP] See diff

Note, however, that WP policy insists that you cite all your sources; and further, if yours is only one of many viewpoints, the article should not be written in such a way that it is given undue privilege. Please keep that in mind, and please add citations! Hornplease 00:09, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

=> HornPlease, the WP policy seems fair. WP, to be an acceptable as an common source of information/knowledge, must present facts as they are, not as one wishes them to be. At the same time, we need to prevent fraud and deceit to be presented as valid counter-points.

19:05, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

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Time period

from 10-02-1969 to 04-01-1971 
from 15-03-1971 to 31-01-1976

Sundar, I could see these time periods overlaps. Could you comment on it? --Rrjanbiah 08:24, 26 May 2004 (UTC)

Rajesh, the time period does not overlap, but there is a small gap. One term ends on 14th January, 1971 and the next one starts on 15th March, 1971. I think, the gap may be due to President's rule. Sundar 08:47, May 26, 2004 (UTC)

Oops.. sorry.. I totally misread it because of American-Indian date formats. Thanks --Rrjanbiah 09:25, 26 May 2004 (UTC)

One more thing.. is it 14th January or 4th January? --Rrjanbiah 09:26, 26 May 2004 (UTC)

I don't know. User:harikishoreaj added that information. Let's ask him. I think there is some inconsistence with List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. If possible, I'll set it right. Sundar 10:17, May 26, 2004 (UTC)

I've changed the date format. Hope it is clear now. And by the way Sundar, there is no inconsistency with List of Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. -- Kishore 08:06, 1 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Thanks, Kishore. Sundar 11:19, Jun 1, 2004 (UTC)

 from February 10, 1969 to April 1, 1971 
 from March 15, 1971 to January 31, 1976

My mind says some overlap again. --Rrjanbiah 04:22, 14 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Welcome back Rajesh. Nice to see you again. Sorry about the date. When I retyped it in wiki format, I made a mistake. I've set it right. --Kishore 04:38, 15 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Thanks Kishore. Nice to see, you've fixed the problem. Regards --Rrjanbiah 04:49, 15 Jun 2004 (UTC)

Text removed

The text removed by the anon was unsourced and POV, lets not revert it back Zeimusu | Talk page 02:53, 16 January 2006 (UTC)

The entire article should be removed. It just full of POV. I am wondering what the administrators are doing? --Ganeshvb 05:55, 29 April 2006 (UTC)

What on earth? You call MK a staunch supporter of LTTE openly? Atrocious, as far as WP is concerned. Karthik.raman 07:01, 29 April 2006 (UTC)

Telugu ethnic origin

Need citation about his Telugu Ethnic origin ?RaveenS 16:05, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

Some vandals are repeatedly deleting portions related to Rajiv Gandhi assasination and sarkaria commission. Though the source for both are verifiable. It is better to make this page protected with no more edits.

POV

• Karthik.raman 02:15, 3 July 2006 (UTC):There's just too much of POV in this article.. even after I reverted several parts... Administrators please help!

=> Mr.Raman, I suspect you have removed the section inserted by me "An Alternative View". If so, let me know, what are the points of contention.

HornStopPlease 19:20, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Neutrality

This article has a pro-Karunanidhi tone, we should adopt a more neutral tone. I am sure that Karunanidhi is not a saint. Please also comment on this misdeeds.--Wikindian 20:48, 22 July 2006 (UTC)

from WP:copyvio

Using copyrighted work from others

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Indian Naming Conventions

Please note that the Indian Naming conventions are different. The son's name is written first and then only the father's name (or surname) is written. Hence the Correct name will be Karunanidhi Muthuvel and not what you have corrected. In fact this is a name Kalaignar never uses. Indian always write their name as M.Karunanidhi.  Doctor Bruno  02:29, 13 October 2006 (UTC)

Well I don't write my name that way though I'm from India. Is there any policy or guideline in Wikipedia about Indian Naming conventions etc? Idleguy 04:03, 13 October 2006 (UTC)

Initials in Tamil naming conventions mean the father's name and not the son's name. For example brothers Robert Smith and William Smith are written as R.Smith and W.Smith. But brothers Lavan and Kusan are written as R.Lavan and R.Kusan in Tamil Nadu. Tell me how this should be expanded so as to give the westerners a correct interpretation. WIll you write it as Raman Lavan or Lavan Raman. WHat will be the impression that will be generated in the global community when it is written as Raman Lavan. Who will be considered as the father and who will be considered as the son  Doctor Bruno  01:19, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

That's not what we've done on other articles about Tamils. Thiru. Vi. Ka. is Tiruvarir Viruttacala Kalyanasundaram, not Kalyanasundaram Tiruvarir Viruttacala. Rajaji is Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari, not Rajagopalachari Chakravarthi. By the same logic, Karunanidhi should be Muthuvel Karunanidhi, not Karunanidhi Muthuvel. -- Arvind 10:53, 13 October 2006 (UTC)

For communities using double initial (the first is the name of the Town/village and the second the name of the father) it is appropriate for the naming conventions used for Thiru.Vi.Ka. That is called as vilasam. Hope you all have heard about அய்யம்பேட்டை அறிவுடைநம்பி கலியம்பெரும்மாள் இந்திரன் and அய்யம்பேட்டை அறிவுடைநம்பி கலியம்பெரும்மாள் சந்திரன்

However the use of initials is different in South Indian context and western context.

The second example which you have given is an example of a error that has been done by the english media. They do the same thing for Vishwanathan Anand, Palaniappan Chidambaram. Another glaring example of wrong naming conventions is referring Anbumani as Dr.Ramadoss. Ramadoss is his father's name and not surname. (If it is a surname, Dr.Ramadoss can refer to either the father and son, but since it is his father's name, the english media are committing a blunder when they say htat Dr.Ramadoss is the Health Minister) Just because such errors have been committed by those who are not well versed in Tamil Naming Conventions, it does not mean that it should be continued.

See [1] This issue has been already highlighted  Doctor Bruno  01:10, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

Article misleading- Reg: Rationalism

The article mentions that M.K was a rationalist, they called themselves as rationalists but they aren't. The Indian kind of Rationalism or atleast the Tamil one is only quasi-rationalism is not the full fledged rationalism. It advocates only Religious rationalism or rather Athiestic Rationalism. These so-called rationalists are mostly athiest, socialist and communist. They don't have the same skepticism on Government,Democracy as they have in God. For these people God is Government. It would be better to call these kind of people quasi-rationalists. -JK

Promoting Casteism a Wrong point

Karunanidhi has been in politics for over 50 years from the days of untouchablity to today.Look to quote recent press commnets to say he is casteist is is a biased view.Please be more substantial we are talking in terms of man who has been in politics for 50 years .Please do not judge him by a few recent commenst.ADYARBOY