Chapter - / / /

Political Career
Upto 1967
 26
1. Political Career upto 1952

Kalaignar Karunanidhi was born on 3rd June 1924 in a small village called
Thirukl<uvalai at a distance of 24 kilometers from Tiruvarrur which is now the
capital of Tiruvarur Dist.^ He had his primary education in the village school and
his father tried to teach him carnatic music in vain because Kalaignar Karunanidhi
did not like the various restrictioriimposed on him due to caste and religion.^

When he went to Tiruvarur to join the High School, the Head master
Kasthoori Iyengar did not accept to admit him in the 7th Standard to which class
he was to be admitted. He was not ready to admit even in the V standard since his
standard of education was not upto the mark for he had his primary education in
his village school. At such a time Kalaignar Karunanidhi exhibited his will power
which is his special quality. He told the Headmaster that he would fall into the big
temple tank opposite to the school if he was not admitted. Seeing his
determination and interest in studies the Headmaster accepted to admit him in the
V Standard.^

In 1936 due to the reforms announced by the Simon Commission election

was held after which the justice party completely fell. In 1937 congress ministry
was formed and C.Rajagopala Chariar became the chief minister and immediately
he made Hindi compulsory.''
 27
On June 3, 1938 anti Hindi conference was held at Saidapet under the
leadership of Maraimalaladigal. In the anti-Hindi agitation of 1938, Periar became
the leader. CM. Annadurai, K.A.P. Viswanathan, Somasundera Bharathiar,
Moovalur Ramannirtham Ammaiar, were the important leaders. Picketing took
place in front of the schools. Many were arrested and put into jail. Th&muthu
and Natarajan died in jail.^

At the age of 14 itself K.K took part in the anti - Hindi struggle. Every day
he took the students in a procession in which the students carried placards
depicting Tamil mother being stabbed by the dagger of compulsory Hindi. Once
when he was going in the procession the Hindi Pandit saw him. The next day in
the class room the Hindi pandit wrote certain Hindi words on the black board and
asked K.K to read. When he was not able to read them the Hindi Pandit came
near him and gave a big slap on the cheek. But this did not deter Kalaignar
Karunanidhi from proceeding in his anti-Hindi agitation.^

u
Kalaignar Karunanidhi literary life and his political life are intertwined and
one cannot narrate his political career without touching his literary activities. At the
age of 15 itself he circulated a written journal by name 'Manavanesan'. Normally
50 copies were written and circulated twice in a month and this continued for 7
to 8 months.^ He also started Tamil Manava Manram in 1942 at Tiruvarur.^ When
the annual day celebration of the Manavar Manram was conducted, Mathialagam-
and Anbalagan came to speak. Kalaigner Karunanidhi did not have money to give
to them.
 28
Since Kalaign^r Karunanidhi involved in public life. While he studied he was
not able to concentrate in studies. He failed in the school final examination for
three times, and thereafterwards, the rules did not permit him to write the
examination again and he was also happy for he could concentrate in public life.

Murasoli was published as bit notices and sent to different branches of

Dravidar Kazhagam. These branches collected money as donation and sent the
same. Kalaigner Karunanidhi wrote in the name of cheran. Secretary was Thennan
and treasurer was T.S Gopal."

When the justice party was transformed into Dravidar Kazhagam at a

conference at Salem in 1944 it was left to Karunanidhi to design the party flag. A
black flag with a red circle in the middle was proposed as a tentative design. An
outline was drawn, in black ink on white paper and it is said that Karunanidhi drew
the red circle with his own blood pricking his finger. This impassioned act of an
young man was portentuous of the blood to be shed by him many more times in
defence of the honour of the party. The flag of DMK is not very different from that
of DK. The DMK flag consist of a Black oblong and red oblong. The red colour
represents the progressive aspirations of the Dravidian people and the black colour
is a reminder of the backwardness and poverty.^^

Kalaigner Karunanidhi's first essay was published in Dravidanadu by C.N.A.^^

When C.rS.Annadurai came to Tiruvarur he wanted to see Kalaigner Karunanidhi.
when he saw him he was shocked to see a small boy and advised Kalaigner
14
Karunanidhi to concentrate on studies and not to write essays
 29
Dravidar Manavar Kazhagam was started in 1943 at Kumbakonam.
Thiruvarur Tamil Manavar Manram joined the Dravida Manavar Kazhagam. The
branches were started in different parts of Tamilnadu.'^

The justice party conference was held at Salem. At that time Periar was the
leader and some of the justice party men wanted to remove him. CNA toured
through the country and mobilised people's support. Annadurai's resolution was
passed in this conference when CNA was talking in the conference there was great
applause. At that time all the justice party men who were opposing Periar went out
of the conference. Thus the danger to the leadership of periar was removed.'^

In the Salem conference C.N.Annadurai brought revolutionary resolutions

like (1) giving up the titles like Diwan Sir conferred by the British. (2) Resigning
from the administrative posts (3) removing the caste name (4) The name South
Indian Welfare association was to be changed into Dravidar Kazhagam." Kalaign^r
Karunanidhi married Padma under the Presidentship of advocate Vijaya Ragavelu
and N.S.Krishnan enacted Kathakalatchepam Kindhanar on 13.11.1944. He
enacted the play palaniappan, at Villupuram and he himself acted. ^^

Murasoli was printed in the Karunanidhi printing press. People very much
welcomed the magazine. Several letters written by the readers came. But money
from the salesman did not come. Money was not available even to meet the
printing expenses. So he sold the'Thali' Chain to give money for printing two
issues. Kalaigner Karunanidhi and manager Kanagasundraram took the bundles
on their head and crossed the river in the bamboo bridge and sent the papers to
different places.^^
 30

In 1945 Kalaignfr Karunanidhi enacted the play Palaniappa in keple theatre

in Pondicharry Periar CN-ATAlagirisamy took part in the conference since the

congressmen were angry they wanted to sabotage the meeting. C.N.Annadurai

hoisted the flag but in the next minute it was cut and fell. From that time onwards

there was chaos. C.N.A. Periar and other leaders were sent in the cars. Kalaignur

Karunanidhi, Bharathidasan and Kanchi Kalyanasundraram walked towards their

room. A big crowd surrounded them and the three became scattered.^

Kalaignjtr Karunanidhi ran and the crowd came beating him. Only one

house was in the opened condition and Kalaign«[r Karunanidhi entered it without

knowing that it was the house of the rowdies who were beating him. He was

severely beaten and then they threw him into the ditch thinking him dead. After

two hours he was saved by a lady her son and daughter.^'

Periar asked Kalaignf r Karunanidhi to become the sub-editor of Kudiarasu

at a salary of Rs. 40. Kalaign^r Karunanidhi wrote 'Annamalaikkuarohara' which

was very much appreciated by Periar. When India became independent in 1947

Periar announced it as the day of sadness. C.N.Annadurai said that it was wrong

to declare like that and the rift between Periar and CNA increased. Some

opportunists wanted to increase the rift.^^

In 1946, Hindi was brought again by the education minister Avinasilingam

Chettiar and an anti-Hindi commitee was organised under C.N.A with T.M.

Parthsarathy as the organiser and Aiamatyii Appadurai as president. Picketing in

front of the schools was held daily and the govt, had to abandon the order.^
 31
Kalaignar Karunanidhi's first son Muthuvel was born in 1948 but his first
wife Padma's, health condition was very bad. At that time one party friend
Arunachalam came to take Kalaignar Karunanidhi to Pudukkottai whereas a
meeting had been arranged. He also saw the condition of Kalaigner Karunanidhi's"
wife but he had no other option than taking Kalaignar Karunanidhi to the meeting.
After the meeting was over he got into a lorry and came back to Thiruvarur. But
before his coming back his wife had already expired and there was a crowd, in
front of his house. He was not able to be present when his wife was dying.^''

His family members were very much particular in getting him married to
look after the new born child and Dayalu daughter of Govindasamy of
Poonthottam of Tanjore district was fixed as the bride. Her brother
Dakshinamoorthy had gone to jail for the agitations of Dravidar Kazhagam. He
conducted the drama Thookkumedai at Trichy under the Presidentship of C.N.A.
15th Sep 1948 was fixed as the marriage day. But the same date was fixed for
picketing in front of the schools as a part of anti-Hindi agitation. The marriage was
held in Kalaignar Karunanidhi's house. But at that time the procession going
towards the high school for picketing came Kalaignar Karunanidhi was induced by
the procession and he joined the same. Fortunately for Kalaignar Karunanidhi
there was no arrest on that day at Tiruvaraa though the party men were arrested
at other places. If Kalaignar Karunanidhi had also been arrested the marriage
would have stopped.^

On 23, 24 October 1948 Dravidar Kazhagams special conference was held

at Erode. C.N.A presided and Thiru.Vi. Kaiynana sundraram opened the picture of
Dravidanadu.2^ In Kancheepuram there was a congress conference under the
 32
presidentship of Thiru-Vi-Ka and at that time Periar' came out of the conference.
After wards when the 1948 conference was held under the presidentship of Periar
Thlru - Vl-Ka said that both himself and Periar were in the congress. But after
Gandhi it had become the fort of selfishmen. Actually Gandhi's party was holy but
after him the party was adopting the fascist tactics. In this conference Alagirisamy
made his last speech in which he stated that his health condition was very bad and
he was sad since he could not work for the Kazhagam till he became allright.^''

Periar and Rajaji met on 14th May 1949 and talked for one hour. But Periar
did not tell, what was talked between them.^^ Tamil conference was held in May
1949 in which CMAsaid that Periar was expected tas ay what he talked with Rajaji
and for this Periar replied that he talked about his personal matter which further
confused the situation.^ Finally Periar said that he talked to the Governor General
Rajaji about having a heirto him.^°

6)71^
>f 18th June 1949 Periar had applied to the Registrar that he was going to
marry Maniammai. While Periar was 72 at fe time Maniammai was only 26. So
far social reformation had been the Important ideal of the party. In such a situation
this marriage was a rude stock to all the party men. The party men requested
Periar not to marry but the marriage took place and the partymen were pushed to
take some action at which time C.N.Annadurai gave the idea of starting a different
organisation instead of taking action against Periar. So DMK was started (1) Social
reform (2) Socialism in economy (3) liberation from the North Indian domination
were considered as the important ideals of the party.^^
 33

Once it was decided to start a new party general council organisation

council, Rules and regulations committee, finance committee were appointed and

a meeting was arranged in the Robinson park Royapuram in which

Pethampalayam Palanisamy was the president. There was heavy rain on that day

and C.N.Annadurai said that in order to protect the right to write, right to speak

the newly started DMK party would oppose the suppression of the government.

Since the men were trained by Periar they were ready to go to jail. Within two

months of starting the party there were 700 branches and more than 50,000

members.-^^

The new party, followed the rationalist and social reformist ideals of DK the

party whose ranks the DMK had included DMK worked as an organisation

complimentary to DK and C.N.Annadurai described these two parties as a double

barrelled gun that would help remove the social degradation as the economic

backwardness of a major but vulnerable section of the people of T.N while

Kalaign^r Karunanidhi was regarded as the militant leader.^^

Though the party was started on 17th Sep. 1949 only on 17th October

inaugural functions were held throught Tamil Nadu. Kalaigntr Karunanidhi took

part in the meetings held at Kovilpatti and Tuticorin.^

Minister Madhavamenon ordered that Hindi should be made compulsory

from I std to VI Std. But due to the constant agitations by the DMK men the order

was repealed on 18.7.1950. It was decided to show black flag to Rajaji on

24.10.1950.^^ Police resorted to lathi charge several times and removed the

agitators. But in spite of this situation black flag was shown by 1000 agitators.-^
 34
On 28.10.1950, Kalaignar Karunanidhi enacted the drama 'Arivupparisu' for
the donation of 'Anna Padippagam' at Pudakkottai.^'' On 9th Sept 1950 when the
central minister Divakar came to Hindi prachar school at T. Nagar black flag was
shown. Similarly black flag was shown to minister Munshi on 1.2.1951. Black flag
was also shown to other ministers like Gopalasamy Iyengar, Jagajivanram and
Jawaharlal Mehru on 1st July.^^

The state conference was held on 12, 14, 15, 16th & Dec 1951. The
conference was inaugurated ©pesed-by K.K. Neelamegam. Exhibition was opened
by C.P. Sirrarasu.^^ On 2nd Dec. 1951, Arivagam the head office of the party was
opened by M.V. John of Nagarcoil.''°

Periar decided \.o erase the caste names in the boards. Simultaneously, the
(X.
DMK party decided to erase the Hindi names in the boards Periar and Kalaignf r
Karunanidhi erased the names in Trichy Railway station and then they went in a
procession. In the Theppakulam post office there were Hindi words.mit the board
was in an inaccessible place. But Kalaignar Karunanidhi was determined to erase
and so he began to climb on the side roof in the lying position since it was a
slope. There he erased the words and felt as if he was Tensing Hillavy himself.''^

The General Council meeting of DMK was held at Madurai. The welcome
and advertisement Committee of Kalaignar Karunanidhi spoke on the llnd day. In
1952 for the cyclone and flood relief of Tanjore district and in order to implement
the general council decision Kalaignar Karunanidhi went around the district and
collected Rs. 25,000.^2
 35
Kalaignar Karunanidhi was responsible for strengthening the party in the
places where it was weak especially when it was in the growing condition.
Regarding Trichy the DK was in a more dominant position than the DMK
Kalaigndr Karunanidhi wanted to enthuse the workers, (t was decided to hoist the
party flag, in 50 places in Trichy and to speak in 5 or 6 places. Similarly 60 flags
were hoisted in Salem and 70 flags in Coiambatore. Flag hoisting became an
important propaganda|, for the party.'*^

At that time co-optex cloth was not selling properly and the weavers were
suffering C.N.Annadurai fsS^ decided to help the weavers by improving the sales.
C.M.Annadurai sold the co-optex cloths at Trichy. In one day the sales was one
lakh rupees. Kalaignf r Karunanidhi sold the cloth at Chennai and the sales was for
Rs. 20,000. There afterwards the market condition for the co.optex cloth
improved."^

The 1952 election was the first election after the framing of the constituion
in 1950 and in order to discuss the future plan of the DMK and also about the
election of the general council of the party, the party men met on 17th Nov. 1951.
The discussion went on from 17th morning to 18th morning without interval and
the following resolution was taken."^

"Since the constitution was framed without knowing the opinion of the
Dravidians and since it is harmful to them and since it is framed by a single party
the DMK condemns it and as a mark of condemnation, the party will not contexJ
the election. But the party will support the communists and the other progressive
non congress parties".''^
 36
It was also decided to support such parties which signed a contract with the
DMK. The communists did not sign the contract p/i the DMK but some other
progressive parties signed the contract and such parties were supported. Wherever
such parties did not contest the DMK supported the communists. The conference
of the party was held on 13, 14, 15, 16th Dec of 1951. The General Secretary
CNA hosited the flag. The conference was opened by Neelamegam and was
presided by CMA. CNA was proposed by N.V. Natarajan and among those who
spoke seconding the resolution was Kalaign^r Karunanidhi.'*''

Kalaignar Karunanidhi wanted to construct 'Alagiri maligai' at Tiruvarur and

for this purpose N.S.K's 'Kathakalachepam of Kindhanar' was held. Kalaigner
Karunanidhi toured the full district and collected money.""^ In the election the
congress party did not get majority and so the toilers party under S.S. Ramasamy
Padaiachi and the common wheel party under Manlckavelar joined the congress
govt, and both the leaders took part ^ in the ministry.""^

3. 1953 - 1957

Rajaji became the Chief minister and he brought his 'Kulakkalvithittam' By

this scheme a student would be studying in the school in the morning and in the
afternoon he would be trained in the profession of his caste. This would perpetuate
the caste system. The DMK men decided to oppose this. Simultaneusly it was
decided to agitate for changing the name of Dalmiapurm into Kallakkudi.^ Pandit
Jawaharlal Mehru scolded the Tamils as nonsense and it was decided to agitate
against this also 14th July 1953 was fixed for agitating against Kulakkalvithittam
and 15th July, 1953 was fixed for Kallakkudi agitation.^^
 37

The party daily Mamnadu was started on 15th June 1953 with CNA as the
Editor.^2 The preparatory work for the Kallal<kudi struggle was started in
Manelmedu, a beautiful small village on the main road of Salem, to Trichy. The
next meeting was at Manapparai. Flag was hoisted and on the third day a drama
was enacted at Anbil a small village near Trichy. On 18th June there was a
meeting at Kulithalai. The executive committee of the Kallakkudi agitation
commitee was held and it was decided that 15th July would be the day of
agitation.^^

The second general council of DMK met at Arakkaonam on 31.5.53. It

appreciated the cyclone and flood relief committee which had collected an amount
of Rs. 27,75,535. In this commitee Kalaigner Karunanidhi was the secretary and
,Kateignef=-14af«narrfdl=H Neelamegam, E.V.K Sampath, KA Mathialagam were the
members. The general council also thanked all those who helped the commitee
to achieve this target.^

When the party was started in 1949 only weekly's were supporting the
policies of the party. Dravidanadu of CNA, Dravidan of N.V. Natarajan 'Porwal' of
Manimozhi, Murasoli of Kalaigner Karunanidhi, New Justice of Venu were such
issues. But there was no daily to reflect the policies of the party. This defect was
removed when Namnadu was published from 15.6.1953 as the dally using the
funds collected through conducting dramas.^^
 38
By the Kulakkalvithittam those who were below 11 years of age were asked
to study only 3 hours in the school. After that they should go to their house and
learn the profession of their father. The profession or trade was not to be taught
in any institute. In the foreign countries the boy or girl is allowed to learn any trade
on which he or she has interest 21st June was fixed for a meeting condemning
the Kulakkalvithittam.^^

In order to oppose the 'Kulakkalvithittam' it was, decided to go to each and

every house and get the signatures of the parents. The same was to be sent to the
Chief Minister Rajaji, education minister and the Director of education. By the
Kulakkalvitthittam generations of cobbler would be only cobblers, (fesyaals). Hair
Cutter would be only hair culters and generations of Dhobis only Dhobis. It was
also decided that people should go in a procession, meet the MLA of their
constituency and request him to oppose the Kulakkalvithittam.^^

C.N.Annadurai selected Kalaignar Karunanidhi to lead the Kallakkudi

struggle. The chennai district conference was held on 11, 12th July 1953 and at
that time CNA stated that some people's ig opinion was that Kalaignar Karunanidhi
could show his strength only in writing stories and he could only draw a paper
sword. But in order to show to the world that he could not only excel in literature
but also in real life he had announced the Kallakkudi struggle with Kalaigner
Karunanidhi as the leader.^^

Regarding the 'Kulakkalvithittam' it was decided that picketing should be

resorted to in front of Rajaji's house for 15 days from 15.7.53. During the same
days Rail Roko' agitation was also resorted to.^^
 39

A-
On 15th July 1953, Kalaign^r Karunanidhi and others followed by a big
crowd approached the Railway station. Kalaign$r Karunanidhi pasted a bit of paper
on the board of Dalmlapuram in which the name Kallakkudi was written. But the
police and other authorities ignor|ed the same. At such a time the presence of
mind of Kalaignar Karunanidhi worked. A train was about to start and Kalaignar
Karunanidhi laid down on the track just in front of the engine. Four other persons
of the agitation committee also did the same. The police had no other way than
to arrest them. All the 25 persons of the agitation committee were arrested in a
similar manner.^°

K.K Sathi, Kasthoori, Kumaravel and Kulanthaivel were the first five to be
arrested Kalaigner Karunanidhi was taken to a sub-jail at Ariyaloor. The food
supplied in that sub jail was very bad and no one was able to eat anything. In the
court Kalaignar Karunanidhi and four other persons were given - 6 months
imprisonment. AH the other persons were given 3 months imprisonment. Thus
different punishment were given for the same act.^^

Kalaignar Karunanidhi's organising abilities were not dormant even in

prison. He set up something like a shadow govt, inside the jail. He divided the 400
fellow prisoners into 4 blocks each consisting of 100 members. He was the overall
president and Mannaij?iarayanasamy was the Vice President Mullaisakthi was the
home Minister Rama Subbiah, Food Minister and Buhari Sahib the health
Minister.^2
 40
Cases were filed on CMA, Mavalar, Sampath, NV Matarajan and Mathialagan
for Kallakkudi struggle, Anti-Kulakkalvl agitation and obstructing trains were
considered to be the crimes induced by these five and were 'giep 3 months
inprisonment.^^
On 21st Nov, 1953, Kalaign||r Karunanidhi and four others were relased
from the Trichy jail. Since permission was not granted to conduct the function of
felicitation in the Town Hal! of Trichy grand welcome was given at Thennur. On
the next day there was felicitation at Tiruvarur and on 29th Nov the function was
held at Chennai. A procession was arranged from Egmore station itself through
Mount Road.^

There was a DMK conference at Kovilpatti of Nellai district. It was presided

over by Kalaignar Karunanidhi. In that conference Kalaignar Karunanidhi said that
there should be branches of the party in the small towns, big towns. Taluk level,
and district level. The state head quarters should be able to contact even the small
town branch and the relationship should be chain like. Again Tamilnadu was not
looked after by the centre and there was Hindi domination and these points should
be highlighted through agitations. But EYK Sampath differed from Kalaigner
Karunanidhi saying those who came to the party recently spoke about reformation.
But CNA appreciated Kalaignar Karunanidhi and accepted his demands. The
(X-
programmes of agitation were drawn. Kalaignar Karunanidhi appreciated him
saying that he was a true democratic person and not a dictator. ^^ The DMK was
unhappy with the manner in which S.S. Ramasamy Padaiachiar of toilers party and
Manickavelu of the common weal party who had won the 1952 elections with
DMK's support had defected to the Rajagopalachari ministry. In such a situation
there was a change in the attitude of the DMK men. K. Kamaraj also challenged
the party saying they would get crowds and not votes.^^
 41
The party propaganda was vigorously done and several thousands of
persons came for the meetings of the DMK. Branches of the party were started
even in remote places. The number of members exceeded 1 lakh. At this time K.
Kamaraj provoked by the propaganda of the party challenged whether the DMK
men could speak in the assembly instead of just in the public meetings which
meant that DMK should contest the 1957 election.^

In 1956 DMK conducted its state conference at Trichy. At that time Navalar
Nedunchezhian was the general secretary and he also acted as president of the
conference. Ballot boxes were placed on the conference pandal and the party men
were asked to vote to decide whether to contest the 1957 election or not. More
than a lac persons voted for contesting the election. While only a few thousand
voted against contesting in the election. So C.N.Annadurai announced that DMK^
would contest in the election.^^

Some of the aims of the party published in the election manifesto were

1. Nationalisation of Industries and banks,

2. Single point tax instead of multiple point tax,
3. Salary and dearnes allowance for the non-gazetted officers,
4. Land reformation act,
5. Lined Dhotis and sarees production should be given exclusively to
Co.optex
6. Self respect marriages should be made legal,
7. Tamil should become the official language, 8. English should be the
common language. ^^
 42
At that time there was general opinion that South was neglected. Tuticorln
had a number of salt producing 'uppalams'. So there was a possibility of starting
a 'sodauppu' factory. But the central govt., was not ready to start such a factory.''°

Since the decision to contest the election had been taken fund was very
much needed. Once after deciding to contest the election there was no use in
feeling helpless.''' Krusch^and Bulkanin toured India in 1955 and at that time
told that South was backward in Industrial development. They promised to give aid
and help to start Aluminium factory at Salem. But later on what happened was a
mystery. Thorought India for Industrial development Rs.27 per head was spent at
that time, but in Tamilnadu the money spent for head was only Rs.l9. This was
the statement given by the economic l^pert Deshmukh when he came to Ooty
in July 1956.^2
Kalalgnar Karunanidhi initially wanted to contest in the Nagai
Constituency. But C.N.Annadurai prepared a list in which Kalalgnar Karunanidhi
was given the Kullthalai constituency.''^ He was 33 at that time and he went round
his constituency.^'' He analysed and came to the conclusion that in fertility
Kulithalai stood first while Mayanoor and Vellianai stood second and third. This
could be called to be his first pep cowards straight politics.''^

Special election conference was held on 10.2.1957 at Chennai.

Periyar generally called the DMK men as 'tear drops' as they opposed his marriage
with Maniammai. He stated that these 'tear drops' should be destroyed. Kalaignar
Karunanidhi said that the eye tears should be destroyed (i.e) the eye tears of the
people C.N.Annadurai argued that Tamil Nadu was more important than
K.Kamaraj. If the hands of K.Kamaraj were strengthened then these hands would
not save Tamil but instead it would carry 'Kavadi' to Delhi.^^
 A3
In the Kulithalai constituency Vellianai was a backward area. There were
only a few branches of the party. In several places of that area there was no trace
of DMK. In the first two meetings there were only a few people. But Kalaignar
Karunanidhi did not leave his efforts and in his third meeting there were
considerable number of people.^^

Agricultural labourers of Nangavaram, Neythaloor and Kaundanpatti were

suffering at the hands of the landlords. Kalaignar Karunanidhi promised to look
into their demands if elected. Printed request recorded speeches of Kalaignar
Karunanidhi, slogans beautifully written on the walls and 'thattis (bamboo-mats)
and the calendar calling Kalaignar Karunanidhi as 'Enga Veetu Pillai'. (our house's
son) were some of the novel methods adopted by him in the election propaganda.
Apart from this Kalaignar Karunanidhi went to each and every house; asked for the
vote and explained the policies of the DMK, the faith which the people had on
CNA and other front line leader paved the way for victory. Kalaignar Karunanidhi
got 22,785 votes and the congress candidate Dharmalingam got 14,489 votes.''^

DMK stood in 112 places and won 15 seats. 3 in Madras district one in
Chingleput, 4 in North Arcot, 2 in Salem, 4 in South Arcot and one in Trichy.
While describing the victory Ananda Vikatan dated irh35i7 wrote that here
afterwards the people would be watching as to what CNA told about the various
issues in the Assembly. The welfare of the Tamils would be looked after by both
the sections and the question and answer session would be quite hot.''^

C.N.Annadurai was elected as the president of the party MLA's while

Kalaignar Karunanidhi was elected as the 'Korada'. The congress men mocked
DMK saying that they have won only in 15 places. Most of the land at Nangavaram
 44
was owned by a big landlord. Thimmachipuram landlords also were prosperous.
The products were taken by the landlords by the methods of 'Kaiyervaram and
mattervaram'. The Agricultural labourers and the tenants were not treated properly
Nyayavaram act was brought during the rule of K.Kamaraj but it had certain
loopholes and the same were used by the landlords. At times they brought
agricultural labourer from the other villages for a lower wage. In one such case the
Highcourt gave a favourable judgement to the landlords.

The result was after the harvest the paddy was in heaps in the
'Kalathumedu' while the wives sons and daughters of the agricultural labourers
were starving since they got nothing. But at the same time the landlords were
laughing mischievously. In his first speech in the assembly Kalaignar Karunanidhi
described this situation in Nangavaram and asked for justice.^°

Farmers of Nangavaram were asked to give in writing that they would work
as agricultural coolies and would not demand any other rights. The agitation of the
Nangavaram farmers started on 23.8.57. The farmers got into the fields and
worked. Several of them were arrested and atleast they won in the agitation. Every
farmer was given V2 acre land and was recognised as a tenant.^^

The Hindi imposition became vigorous again and this was condemned by
the general secretary of the party Navalar Nedunchezhian. It was ordered that
13.10.57 should be observed as the anti Hindi imposition day. Several meetings
were held.

The first resolution brought by C.N.Annadurai was that Madras State must

be renamed as Tamilnadu. 42 members voted in favour of the resolution while 127

 45
members voted against it. While talking in the thanks giving speech for
Governor's speech CNA referred that Tamilnadu was not treated properly
regarding the Industrial development.^^

In the 1950 constitution it was decided with a majority of just one vote that
Hindi should replace English in 15 years (i.e) within 1965. The care committee was
appointed for this purpose and it submitted its report as to how Hindi could be
imposed in a lightening speed.^

The anti Hindi conference was held at Thiruvannamalai on 21 Sep 1957.

Arunagiri Adigal presided over the conference. P.U. Shanmugam was the Secretary
of the welcome committee. Arunagiri Adigal said that he had only renounced his
house and not his Tamil race and Tamil languages. CNA said that he had only two
masters. One was his conscience and the other were the people. But 13 was fixed
as the date on which Hindi imposition was to be condemned.^

Several meetings were held on 13th Oct condemning Hindi imposition. The
second anti-rfindi conference was held at Magercoil on 27, 28 December 1957.
E.V.K. Sampath presided over the conference and condemned Nehru's attitude.
Since Periar conducted agitations Nehru called him a mad man. Regarding the
anti Hindi agitations of the DMK men he termed them as childish. He also called
the rail roko agitation by Ma.po.si's as nonsense. So it was decided that black flag
should be shown to Nehru when he was visiting Chennai in the first week of
January and this was to be carried out by the party by MLA's and the two MPs.^

Thousands of persons came to Chennai in the first week of January from

the various places of Tamil nadu. At the same time the congress govt, in
 46
Tamilnadu wanted to suppress the agitation at any cost. Preparatory meeting was
to be held at the marina but the police did not give permission. But C.N.Annadurai
decided to conduct the meeting even without the permission. There were
policemen throughout the sea-shore and all the ways leading to the seashore were
blocked. But the people tried to go towards the seashore. Tear gas shells were
burst in the pycrofts road. C.N.Annadurai, Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Anbil
Dharmalingam, Arangannal were arrested along with the car and were taken to
Adyar police station. The next day Navalar Nedunchezhian, N.V.Natarajan,
A.Qovindasamy, M.P. Subramanian and C.Natarajan were arrested. So on Jan 6
there was no single front line leader MLA or MP without being arrested. Inspite of
these odds 20,000 people were present at ^ Meenambakkam airport to show
black flag. The police suppression was heavy. People were indiscriminately beaten
by them. Hundreds of men were wounded. Mohideen Pichai and Govinda Rao
died, but inspite of such situation the people did not indulge in violence. But after
five days most of the leaders were released and immediately they went toftie
hospital to see the wounded party men.^^

3. 1958 - 1962

A meeting was conducted on 14.1.58 in the marina. CMA showed his

control over his men by making the lakhs of men to stand and sit when he
ordered so. The third conference was held at Vellore on 15,16th Feb 1958 and
Kalaignar Karunanidhi presided over it. A resolution saying that panchayat
presidents should be elected directly by the people was passed. The next
conference was held at Devakkottai and perasiriyar Anbalagan presided over it.
The drama Gdhayansooriaft- by name written by Kalaign^r Karunanidhi was
enacted, udhyasoorian was given the official symbol of the party on 1.3.58.^'

Kalaigner Karunanidhi's embryonic talents came to maturity after the DMK

entered the political arena. With his practiced eye Anna discovered Kalaignar
Karunanidhi's talent for organisation and his close rapport with party workers and
entrusted him with the task of selecting candidates for the ensuing election to the
corporation.

Among the 53 municipalities congress lost in 34.^^ The total seats of

Chennai corporation was 100. DMK stood in 90 places and won in 45 seats
Kalaignar Karunanidhi as the president of the selection committee of the
candidates decided to field 90 candidates for the 100 seats. CNA was afraid of the
winning chances and was of the opinion that fielding 20 to 30 candidates would
be enough, but Kalaignar Karunanidhi was confident and fielded 90 candidates.
CNA said that he would present a ring even if 40 candidates won the election.^^
Actually when the results were announced 45 candidates had won.^°

C.N.Annadurai gave the ring to Kalaignar Karunanidhi as promised in the

marina meeting.^^ Since D.M.K did not have absolute majority in Chennai it was
decided that the communists should support D.M.K. in Chennai and-^fftk-should
support communists in Coimbatore. In this way A.|TArasu became the first D.M.K.
mayor of Chennai on 30.4.1959. In 1960 V.Munnusamy was elected as Mayor and
Selvaraju assistant mayor. At the same time the name [Aadras corporation was
changed into Chennai Managaratchi.^^
 48
At this time President announced that Hindi would become the official
language at any cost. So anti Hindi imposition struggle committee was created.
EVK Sampath, Kalaign$r Karunanidhi, Perasiriyar and Mathialagan were the
important members of the committee.^^ It was decided that black flag should be
shown to the president. Central minister Banth explained that the president did not
order that non - Hindi speaking people should compulsorily pass Hindi
examination to join the Indian govt jobs. After this explanation it was decided not
to show black flag. This was considered a victory for the party.*•

EVK Sampath was opposing CNA and Kavignar Kannadasan also joined
him. C.N.Annadurai wanted to have unity in the party. So on Feb 26 of 1961 a
meeting was held at Thiruvorryur and in that meeting after having CNA's
explanation of the situation EVK Sampath and Kannadasan agreed to remain
united in the party. But both of them reported on 9.4.61 that they have come out
of DMK. After leaving the party they started a party called Tamil Desiya Katchi'.
When differences arose between Sampath and the DMK men in order to explain
the situation Kalaignar Karunanidhi converted Murasoli into a daily. Tamil Desiya
katchi' was severely defeated in the 1962 election. So Sampath along with his
followers joined congress.^^

Kalaignar Karunanidhi won the Tanjore constituency against Parisutha

Madar who was having money and manpower on 25.2.1962.^^ in this election 50
DMK men were elected for the Assembly and 8 persons for the Parliament. K
Kamarajar became the chief minister and Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime
minister. There was scarcity of food grains and the price increase was sharp. So
DMK started anti price rise agitations and more than 20,000 DMK men were
arrested.^^
 49
The Indian govt imposed tax on the threads which did not have any tax and
increased the tax on these threads which had already taxes. In this way there was
a chance of the south Indian co-optex industry being destroyed. So processions
and meetings were held condemning this act of the central govt.^^ There was a
mid term election in Thiruchankode, C.Subramaniam stated that his election was
for deciding whether there should be secession for Dravida nadu. But inspite of
this propaganda DMK won.^^

The Chinese invaded India in 1962 and DMK party announced that it would
support the central govt. But inspite of this announcement CNA and thousands
of party men who were in the jail were not released. They were released only after
their conviction period was over. This was the general attitude of the congress
men of that period. ^°°

Before the Chinese aggression Pandit Jawaharlal IViehru was unduly

appreciating China while the western countries were describing it as the sleeping
giant. The sleeping giant suddenly woke up and attacked his neighbour namely
India. In the 1961 conference held at Madurai DMK stated that India was acting
as non aligned country and it was arguing in favour of China and inspite of these
facts China was occupying Indian territories. This attitude of China was
condemned by the party. ^°^

Jawaharlal Mehru asked for the support of DMK by sending a telegram, but
he sent the telegram to the jail where CMA was imprisoned and he did not think
of releasing him. But inspite of such an attitude C.N.Annadurai generously said
that he had faith in Nehru.^°2 C.N.Annadurai was released on 24.10.62 and on the
same date he addressed a meeting at the Vellore grounds in which he stated that
DMK would strengthen the hands of Nehru.'°^
 50
C
The executive council meeting of DMK was conducted at Cliennai on
13.11.1962. Ttie council condemned the aggression of China and expressed to
support the central govt in defending the border. It also appreciated all those who
took part in the antiprice rise struggle. ^°^

a-
Kalaignir Karunanidhi was released from Tiruchyjail on 26.10.1962 and on
the same date emergency was declared by the President Dr.Radhakrishnan. There
were welcome meetings for Kalaignar Karunanidhi at Tiruchy, Tanjore and
Tiruvarur. Meeting of felicitation for Kalaignar Karunanidhi was conducted at
Chennai on 28.10.1962 on 2nd Dec a meeting was conducted in Island ground
and an amount of Rs.35,000 was collected for defence of the country which was
a big amount in those days to be collected in one meeting. ^°^

At this time Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave the assurance that English would
continue as long as non hindi speaking people liked.'°^ The general council of the
DMK met on 28,29 Dec 1962. At the same time Lai Bhadur Sastri invited
Southern ministers and talked about the anti secession bill.^°'

The central govt brought the gold control act due to which many
goldsmiths lost their livelihood. They went in a procession to meet the then CM
K.Kamaraj. But they were attacked by the police and one goldsmith died due to
sun stroke. Then this matter was raised in the assembly K.Kamaraj became angry
and spoke hot words. Kalaigner Karunanidhi intervened and there were hot
exchanges.'°^

The congress men were worried at the progress of DMK. They wanted to

put some sort of check and they struck upon the idea of anti secession act. It was
 51
brought by amending the 9th division of the constitution which was the 16th
amendment. At that time the Chief Justice Pp Sinha said that the Central Govt was
of the Unitary type from 1858 onwards and not of the federal type. Our present
constitution has the 1935 act as the basis which was also of the unitary type. So
acts could be passed which are against of the states rights. DMK asked to rectify
the unitary type character and give more rights to the states. This was called by
the congress men as the secession attitude.'°^

The Chinese aggression had reduced the popularity of Nehru. His undue
hesitation in passing an act saying that English would continue as long as the non
Hindi speaking people desired further reduced his popularity. Hanumanthiah said
that the bill continuing English should be brought in the existing parliament
session in the Congress parliamentary meeting held on 17th Feb 1963. But Mehru
said that the bill might be brought after April 20 since there were important works
to be conducted in the parliament."°

C.N.Annadurai said that the DMK wanted not division of territory but
division of powers. It wanted a state govt that would be self sufficient or
selfcontained without being over dependent on a federal centre for day to day and
routine administrative affairs save in times of national emergency."^

1963 to 1967

While talking on the anti secession bill on 25.1.63 CNA said that the
national integration committee president Sir C.P. Ramesamy Iyer did not meet
even a single DMK leader. The central govt was trying to change the federal
centre into an unitary type. This attitude was opposed by the DMK. So this bill
 52
need not be passed in the parliament as DMK was not indulging in any secession
activities."^

The general council meeting was held on 8,9,10 Aug 1963 at Chennai. In
this meeting the party condemned the various activities of the central govt which
tried to impose Hindi as the official language. In this way the central govt tried to
make the south Indians us the second rate citizens. So the party decided to involve
in direct struggle. A struggle committee under the presidentship of Kalaignar
Karunanidhi and with N.V.Natarajan and district secretaries as the members was
created. It was decided to start the struggle in the August."^ Anti Hindi imposition
meeting was held in the marina on 18.4.1963. In the language bill it had been
stated that English may continue after 1965 and the South Indians wanted that the
'may' should be changed into 'shall'.

The anti secession act was passed on 5th Oct 1963. The 19th, 84th and
173rd divisions of the constitution were amended. The members of the Parliament
and the Assembly were to take an oath in which they should say that they
accepted the sovereignty and integrity of the country. Here the sovereignty meant
the domination by the central govt following the anti secession act prevention of
unlawful activities act was brought which said that those demanding secession
could be punished by an imprisonment for 7 years. The antisession act became
law on 19th May 1963 and prevention of unlawful activities act was signed by the
president on 30.12.1967. When the anti secession act was passed the Congress
men thought that the DMK party would be destroyed.""

C.N.Annadurai decided that secession policy could be given up and instead

concentration was given for the state autonomy."^ While talking about this bill in
 53

the parliament CNA said tiiat Scandinavian countries namely Sweden, Nonway,

Denmark and Iceland were in the federal set up. Later they became separate

countries. There are regional economic imbalances and language differences.

When a bill took away the fundamental rights then it could not be called

sovereignty. Sovereignty should not mean concentration of powers at the

centre."^

Since getting Dravidanadu was the main aim of the party in those days

when the anti secession act was passed three alternatives were suggested two by

the congressmen and one by the party itself. 1. The party should be dissolved, 2.

The anti secession act should be opposed, 3. Without harming the party the act

should be overcome. By telling the first two suggestions the Congress men wanted

to destroy the party while the third alternative was seriously thought over by the

party men.

During this period the Deccan Her<Jld wrote that the party was loved by taxi

drivers, rickshaw pullers, petty shop owners and other poor people.^" The general

council and the executive met on 8,9,10th June 1963."^

The mid term election result of Thiruvannamalai was announced on 30th

June 1963 in which P.CJ. Shanmugam of DMK won the ruling party candidate. 7th

July was announced as the day to celebrate the victory throughout Tamilnadu by

C.N.Annadurai. The anti-Hindi imposition conference of Salem was held in

Thelamuthu Natarajan Arangam' on 4.8.1963. Similarly anti Hindi conference was

held at Tanjore on 25.8.1963.1^9

 54
At this time Lai Bahadur Sastri announced in the Rajya Sabha that
changing of Hindi imposition was not possible as it was in the constitution itself.
This clearly conveyed the intention of the central govt.'^° There was every
likelihood of Hindi being made the official language from 1965 and the English to
be removed. The party demanded that Tamil should also be made the official
language and similar languages with tradition should also be made the official
languages. In order to protect Tamil the party men decided to enter into direct
action. ^2^

As a token of appreciation of Kalaignar Karunanidhi's service to the party

C.N.Annadurai gave sword and 'Kedayam'. In this meeting CNAsaid that Kalaigner
Karunanidhi was responsible for the development of the party. The achievement
of Kalaignar Karunanidhi were 1. Victory in the midterm election of
Thiruvannamalai 2. Capturing the corporation of Chennai,But C.N.Annadurai said
that he was giving the sword and 'Kedayam' for his sacrifice of getting beaten by
the congress men at Pondicherry in which the rowdies thought that Kalaignar
Karunanidhi had died and threw him into the ditch.^^

Kalaignar Karunanidhi as the president of the action committed requested

the party branches to send the names of the able bodied well placed young men
who could bear lathi charge and remain in jail for a long time. Nehru and Lai
bahadur Sastri at times assured that Hindi would not be imposed but actually the
order of the central govt to the various central depts were such that Hindi was
slowly and definitely imposed. The central govt, employees were advised that they
should learn Hindi within a specified period and if not their increments would be
cut. 123
 55
In the victory function held at Chennai Seashore on 7.7.1*963 Kalaigner
Karunanidhi spoke that the DMK should form the govt., in 1967 election to protect
the democracy and for this the party should contest atleast 200 places. If ^.5,000
was fixed as the expenditure for one constituency then the total expenditure came
to Rs. 10,00,000. So as a treasurer he said that he started collecting money in that
meeting itself. 10 lacs rupees was a huge amount in those days and many people
thought that it was almost impossible to collect such an amount. CNA himself
asked whether collecting such an amount was possible. ^2''

The anti Hindi agitation committee met on 15th July 1963 at Arivagam in
Royapuram. It was decided that the agitation committee members should travel
in the different districts and prepare the list of agitators. Anti Hindi propanganda
meetings, dramas, other cultural programmes posters bit notices and other
methods of propaganda were to be adopted. The committee decided to conduct
anti Hindi conferences at Salem, Tanjore, Tinneveli and Chennai. ^^ CNA stated
that the DMK men were ready to give their blood for the blood thirsty wolf of Hindi
fanaticism.

CNA said that DMK party was expressing the deep resentment of the
people against the imposition of Hindi. But they were not against the defence of
the country. They actually helped the central govt, inacting against the Chinese
designs. But showing the outside danger the congressmen were using the Defence
of India rules against the opposite parties. ^^^ Rajagopalachariyar in the Salem
meeting stated that Swatantra party also would join the DMK in the anti Hindi
imposition struggle.^^'
 56
Antl Hindi conference for the districts of Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Salem and
Karnataka (border areas) was conducted on 4.8.63 in Ammapettai of Salem. Lakhs
of people came to the conference. Navalar Nedunchezhian presided over the
conference. Kalaigngr Karunanidhi stated that Hindi of utter darkness should go
away and mother Tamil should have a happy face and her chains should be
broken. ^2^

K.Kamaraj put forward his famous K.Kamaraj plan according to which

important congressmen holding high posts should resign and work for the party.
In accordance with this plan 6 chief ministers and 6 central ministers resigned.
K.Kamarajar also resigned as chief minister of Tamilnadu and it was decided that
M. Bakthavatsalam should be elected as the chief minister. ^^^

The next anti-Hindi conference consisting of Trichy, Tanjore and South

Arcot districts was held at Tanjore on 25th August 1963 with Sathiavanimuthu as
President and K.A. Mathilagan inaugurated the conference Similar conference was
held for the Pandia Mandalam consisting of Nellai, Madurai Kumari districts and
border areas of Kerala on 22nd Sept 1963 presided over by A.Qovindasamy and
declared opened by P.V. Shanmugam.^^°

C.N.A. said in the 'Tamil Peravai' of Law College, Chennai that there were
two ways of opposing Hindi. One was the anti Hindi agitations and the other was
defeating the congress in the elections.^^^ C.N.A. said that there was no change
in the anti Hindi struggle of the DMK party since the CM. of Tamilnadu had
changed. This struggle would be one in which maximum number of DMK leaders
participated and the struggle would continue till 1965.^^^
 57
After the three zonal conferences in Salem, Tanjore and Tinneveli the
fourth zonal conference was held at Chennai in which C.N.A. was the president
and Perisariar started the conference. It was decided that 17th division of the
constitution telling about the official language was to be burnt. The list of agitators
was also published.'^^

On the morning of 13.10.63 a procession started from Arivagam situated

in Surynaryana Street of Royapuram in which thousands of DMK men participated.
CN.A., Navalar, Kalaign^r Karunanidhi, Perasiriar and N.V.N, went in the first
decorated truck. It was followed by 50 trucks in which posters, pictures of
Maraimalaiadigal, Thiru Vika, Somasudera Bharathiar, were placed. DMK workers
disguised as 'Hindi Arakki' also went in the trucks. ^^

After the three zonal conferences in Salem, Tanjore and Tinneveli the
fourth zonal conference was held at Chennai in which CN.A. was the President
while perasiriar started the conference. It was also decided to do picketing in front
of the Central govt, officers. CNA said this agitation would start on 17.11.63 and
would continue upto January 1965.^^^

On 14.11.63 when the Children day was celebrated, C.P. Sittarasu Kanchi
Kalyanasundaram, Neela Narayanan and hundreds of others were arrested. CN.A.
was arrested on 16.11.63 when he was coming from Kancheepuram for law
burning agitation. On the same date N.V. Natarajan and A. Govindasamy were also
arrested. ^^^

As regards Madurai, Muthu and others were to burn the law. Kalaigner
Karunanidhi and Mannai Narayanasamy went there as observers. But all of a
 58
sudden Mannai Maryanasamy was arrested. Muthu and others were arrested only
after they burnt the law. But Kalalgn^r Karunanidhi was arrested on 19th Dec 1963
saying that he was also one of the persons who burnt the law though he was
actually an observer. But he was released on 25.12.1963 itself on certain
conditions. ^^^

The beginning of 1964 was with a sad incident. DMK worker Chinnasamy
burnt himself for the sake of Tamil and opposing Hindi imposition. ^^ The
picketing of central govt, offices continued from 19.1.64 to 14.2.64. In Feb 1964
the Chennai corporation election was conducted. In this election the state govt,
behaved in a partial manner. Rowdies were brought from outside the city and the
DMK men were threatened. The DMK men stood in 83 places and won in 49
seats. S.Krishnamoorthy was elected as the Mayor while Kabalamoorthy was
elected as the assistant Mayor on 16.3.1964.'^^

DMK captured not only the Chennai corporation but also more number of
municipalities than the previous election. ^''°

Kalaignar Karunanidhi had demanded that Thiruvalluvar's picture should be

placed in the Assembly and that demand was fulfilled on 23rd Feb 1964. The
picture was opened by Vice-president Jahir Hussain.^"' Puratchi Kavignar
Pavendhar Bharatidasan expired on 21.4.1964 at Chennai and his body was taken
to Pondicherry the next day where the final procession took place. Kalaigner
Karunanidhi, Mavalar, Ma.Po. Sivagnanam and T.K. Shanmugam participated in
the final procession. ^''^
 59
The picketing as a part of anti Hindi agitation continued throughout the
month of march 1964. On 18.5.1964 picketing took place in 15 places of Trichy
district. The agitations were carried out in the month of July in Coimbatore district.
It was carried out in October in SaJem district and in November in Chingleput
district."^ C.N.A. was released from jail on 13th June 1964 after a conviction of
6 months. Muthu and others were still in jail since they were convicted for 1
year.^^

The head office of the party Arivagam at Royapuram was small and as the
party developedy.a bigger place was necessary. So a building was bought at
Teynampet and the opening function was conducted on 15.6.64. C.N.A. opened
the building and Navalar presided over the function while the building was named
Anbagam. C.N.A. appreciated Kalaignar Karunanidhi who as the treasurer of the
party was able to save money and get such a building.'''^

On 23.7.64 Arangannal brought the resolution that the name Madras state
should be changed into Tamilnadu. But the congressmen refused to adopt this
resolution and so the DMK walked out of the Assembly in protest. ^"^

Prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru died of sudden illness. It was due
to heart attack. He had the first attack in January. The second attack was at 11
am on 27.5.64 and he died at 2 pm. The heart attack was of the type of internal
hemorrhage in the abdomen.^"'

Lai Bahadur Sastri was unanimously elected as leader of the congress

parliamentary party and became the Prime minister. He affirmed the faith in
Socialism as followed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. "^
 60
As a continuation of the anti-Hindi agitation it was decided that picketing
was to be resorted to infront of the Telegraphic office of Coimbatore in which
Mavlaar, S.A. Rajamanikkam, P. Rajagopal and P.S. Janakiraman were arrested.^''^

Eazhathadigal was the fore runner of the anti- Hindi agitation, had produced
research essays on Periyapuranam, had worked in C.N.A.'s Dravidanadu and he
was honoured with 'Ponnadai' and 'Ponamudippu'. When the function was held on
3.9.64, Kalaignar Karunanidhi was not well and the doctor had advised him not to
move from the bed but inspite of such a situation he came to the function. CM.A.
advised him not to talk. Kalaigner Karunanidhi put the shawl on Eazhathuadigal

and gave Rs.5,000 as the treasurer of the party. 150

There was food scarcity in T.N. It was difficult to surmise as to who was
surprised more, trade circle or the consumer at the allegation from the govt,
quarters that the food crisis had been exaggerated. The fact seemed to be that the
rice position was still in a muddle while the supply was coming In a trickle and
many families did not know as to know as to where they should go for the
supplies.''^'

The scarcity of rice was severe and people stood in front of police station
at Coimbatore for rice and they were fired upon in which a former police officer
(who was also aloag with the people) was killed.^^^

Even 2 years after the lesson of Chinese aggression the central govt, did
not have defence preparedness. Peter Aluvres had referred to President
Radhakrishnan's statement that India needed 2 million soldiers. But the defence
minister Y.B. Chawan said that there were 8,25,000 soldiers. When asked about
 61
this gap he said that probably the president did not speak on any technical advice
which was opposed by the opposition parties on the ground that the president was
the supreme commander and he was more suitable to assess the situation. ^^^

At this time Sri Mavo Banderanaike, Lai Bahadur Sastri pact was signed
with Ceylon by which SVa lakh people of Ceylon origin lost their citizenship and
were to be sent to India in 15 years in installments. Thus all on a sudden they lost
their house profession and everything.^^

The CM. M.Bakthavachalm reaffirmed in the Assembly that the present rice
situation in the city and the state was not due to short supply but due to faulty
distribution. ^^^

Kalaignar Karunanidhi wanted to do something in his birth place

Thirukkuvalai so a hospital for women was opened for which the CM
Bakthavatsalam came. Later a high school and a painting hall were setup there. ^^^

As the treasurer of the party Kalaignar Karunanidhi wanted to improve the

financial condition, which was weak due to the mid term elections Municipality
Corporation election anti Hindi agitations and the court expenditures. So
7.12.1964 was declared as the date to use Hundials for collection. Kalaignar
Karunanidhi went from Anbagam to Pondy bazaar and all along people gathered
in great numbers there by revealing that they thought DMK as the only party to
save them. In one day Rs.80,000 was collected in this way.^^'^

In 24.12.1964 there was severe cyclone. Nearly 500 men were killed in the
floods. The executive committee of the DMK headquarters met on 8.1.65 and took
 62
the following resolutions. 1. Thougli the party understood the importance of 26th
January as the Republic day since that day had been chosen as the day to impose
Hindi and as a mark of protest the party decided to have it as the grievance day.
2. On that day meeting of condemnation to be conducted. 3. To wear black flags
and badges.'^^

All India congress conference was held at Durgapur on Jan 7 1965 at which
time K.Kamaraj was the president of the congress party and Lai Bahadur Sastri
was Prime minister. ^^^

M. Bakthavatsalam stated observing the republic day as a grievance was

equal to treason. But the congress CM. of West Bengal Dr. P.C. Roy announced
the republic day as the day of grievance some years back since the central govt,
gave the area 'Perupari belonging to Bengal to Pakistan without consulting the
state govt. But such a regional patriotism was absent in the case of the congress
men of Tamilnadu.^^°

M. Bakthavatsalam said in the Madras Assembly that the govt, would not
tolerate the observation of Republic day as a day of mourning by DMK however
peaceful the demonstration might be.^^^

C.N.A. was arrested in the midnight of 25.1.1965. When Kalaign«r

Karunanidhi was going towards Coimbatore from Kulithalai he was arrested at
Papathi Palayam at 1.00 am in the midnight. In Chennal students from all the
colleges met at Napier Park and their strength swelled to nearly 50,000. Then they
went in a procession to the Secretariat to give a petition to the ministers. Later
 63
they assembled at Marina in front of the public numbering 2 lakh persons and
some Hindi books were burnt as a token of protest.^^^

At Madurai the demonstrating students set fire to a jeep used by the District
Congress Committee and burnt a decorated pandal when they took out a
procession to protest against the imposition of Hindi by the Union govt. Police
teargassed two others processions one near the mainguard gate and the other
wear the South Masi Street. ^^

In Madurai when the students procession went through North Mada Street
men from the Urban Congress Committee Office with 'Aruval' spear and other
weapons attacked them. One student was grievously injured and admitted into the
hospital. Those DMK men who wore black symbols were chased and attacked.
The black flag over the DMK office Arivagam was torn into pieces. The posters
and the bamboo thattis were destroyed. The Murasoli office was also attacked.
Similar attacks were perpetrated on Anna's house, SSR's house and Kalaign^r
Karunanidhi's house. The Police did not give any protection to the DMK men. 164

The city Colleges were closed and the police made surprise raids in the
Pachiappas and Law college hostels. They arrested 40 students, 24 years old T.M.
Sivalingam a DMK worker of Kodambakkam and 34 year old V.Ranganathan of
Virugambakkam burnt themselves as a protest against the Hindi imposition. ^^^

In order to protest against the violence in Madurai and as a part of anti

Hindi campaign the students of Annamalai University went in a procession on
27.1.1965. They were stopped near the Railway station by the police who said that
there was a ban on the procession. But the students refused to dissemble and
 64

there was lathicharge. Suddenly there was firing and Rajendran of Sivaganga

studying in B.Sc died on the spot. Another student Elangovan also died on the way

to hospital.'^^

The prime minister Mr. Lai Bahadur Sastri appealed to the people of Madras

State to end their anti Hindi agitation. He said that the people were free to use

English or develop their own regional language. Only those who wanted to learn

Hindi might do so and for others they would not be forced.'^

C.N.A. and others were released on 1st February while Kalaignar

Karunanidhi and others were released on 2nd February.'^ There were anti Hindi

agitations in Karnataka, Andhra and West Bengal also. There were agitations in

Assam and Kerala. Trains were stopped, buses were burnt telegraph wires were

cut and railway lines were uprooted.'*^

Total bandh was adopted on 12.2.1965 in which from petty shops to big

industries were not opened. Hotels, theaters, buses, cars and lorrys did not

operate. The lathicharge and firing continued. C.N.A. was pained to see the

damages and requested the students to postpone the agitation after some

hesitation the students accepted the same.^"'° The P.M. Lai Bahadur Sastri ruled

out any ammendement of the constitution to solve the problem of anti Hindi

agitation in the South. There should be one link language and that should be

Hindi. But he assured that all the difficulties of the non-Hindi speaking people

would be looked after.''''

16th Feb 1965 was a important date in the life of Kalaigner Karunanidhi<8n

that night after finishing his work regarding Murasoli he went to his house at
 65
Gopalapuram where an assistant Commissioner of police with some other police
officers was waiting. He asked Kalaign^r Karunanidhi to come with him and
•Kateignar Karunanidhi was taken to Egmore. In the early morning at 4.30 am he
was taken in a lorry towards the southern direction. Kalaign^r Karunanidhi thought
that he was being taken to Trichy. But he was taken beyond Trichy. Kalaigner
Karunanidhi got chest pain and it was increasing since he did not have proper
sleep in the previous night and since he was being taken in a police lorry. The
lorry reached Madurai at 4.30 pm. By this time the chest pain had increased very
much and a govt, doctor was brought. He examined Kalaigner Karunanidhi and
said any further travel was not advisable. He took rest in the night but the pain did
not subside. Even then he was taken further south from Madurai in the early
morning of 18.2.65. This time there was one police lorry in the front and another
in the back. When the lorry reached Palayamkottai there were large number of
reserve police on both sides of the streets as if Kalaignar Karunanidhi might
attempt to escape. "^

Kalaigner Karunanidhi was jailed in a place where there was no other

convict. He was arrested under section 30(1) of the defence Act and the reason
for the arrest was that he induced the students to agitate. Kalaigner Karunanidhi
could have been arrested under CrPcl51. But then the govt, would have to answer
for the Habeas Carpus petition. The fundamental right of Kalaignar Karunanidhi
to participate in the assembly was taken away by putting him into jail. Madhavan
brought 'Grimai Prachanai' in the Assembly but it was rejected. Anbil
Dharmalingam accused that the mid term election of Dharmapuri was to take
place and for this reason dese-Kalaignf r Karunanidhi was put in to the jail. In the
parliament C.M.A. said that Kalaignar Karunanidhi was iailed under the defence
 66
Act. The defence Act was used not for the defence of the country but for the
defence of the congress party was the accusation of Bupesh Gupta and what was
the reply of the Congress for the same was the question raised by C.N.A. ^^^ ~

President Dr. S. Radha Krishnan deplored the recent events in South India
in loss of life and property. Political wisdom consists in anticipating events
forestalling them and arresting them."'*

The no of deaths in police firing during the anti Hindi agitation totalled to
66 persons."^ C.N.A. came to the jail to meet Kalaigner Karunanidhi. He informed
Kalaigner Karunanidhi, that Maran had been arrested under defence Act section
41(5) Action had also been taken against Murasoll. C.N.A. was sad and enquired <w
Murasoli. C.N.A. was sad and enquired about the health of Kalaigner Karunanidhi.
But Kalaigner Karunanidhi enquired about the mid town election of Dharmapuri."^

Kalaigner Karunanidhi was taken from the Palayamkottai jail to Chennai on

4.4.1965. The case was taken to the Egmore court and postponed to 24th April
1965. But suddenly the Congress govt, decided to withdraw the case under
defence Act section 30 (1). Kalaignar Karunanidhi was released but he demanded
that all those party men who were arrested and put into jail should be released and
the cases filed on the newspapers withdrawn. Lakhs of telegrams carrying this
message were sent to the Chief minister and the P.M., Kalaigner Karunanidhi had
eye problem and was advised by the doctors to take rest. There were simultaneous
fire accidents in the huts of the 21st circle and 87th circle of the corporation area.
Mayor Chittibabu Arnagannel and others went to the spot and consoled the
people."''
 67
Meetings appreciating Kalaign^r Karunanidhi's service were held in different
parts of Tamilnadu. The first meeting was at Nungambakkam of Chennai in which
CM.A. said that while eating sugar cane sometimes blood might come from the
mouth. But one would enjoy the taste of the sugarcane. Kalaigner Karunanidhi
suffered in the jail and yet he showed to the rulers that they could not use any
other Act other than the defence Act. The Vellore municipality also felicitated
Kalaignar Karunanidhi. There was meeting at Nellai where the Palayamkottai jail
was situated which gave happiness to Kalaignfer Karunanidhi. In the meeting held
at Bangalore 62 articles were given as a token of appreciation for Kalaignt^r
Karunanidhi remained in jail for 62 days 178

Kalaignf r Karunanidhi announced that Hundials should be used by every

DMK men to collect election fund and Rs.lO lacs should be collected by 15th Sep
1966. He said that he would address a meeting only if Rs.500 was given to him
as election fund."^

Pakistan attacked India in Sep 1965. Though Kalaign$r Karunanidhi had

suffered in the isolated jail of Palayamkottai he requested the support of all men
to bring victory to the country. This was the gist of his radio talk on 22.9.65.^^°
At last India got a glorious victory for which quick decisions of Lai Bahadur Sastri
was responsible. ^^^

But the Baktavatchalam govt, was keen in imposing Hindi and suppressing
the DMK men. In Oct 1965 C.P. Adithaner was arrested. Whenever Kalaigner
Karunanidhi attended meetings in the Academic centre like Colleges he restricted
himself into literature and did not talk politics. He participated in the Bharathiar
function at the Gellet School. He said that though Bharthiar knew Hindi and
 68
Sanskrit he respected Tamil and wrote Tamil poems. Likewise he participated in
the function at Victoria Hostel Tamilmanram. Bharathidasan function in which he
said that Bharathidasan was like 'Thalampoo'. If you were away he would give good
smell and if you touched him he would be thorn. Goodsmell could be compared
to his poem and thorn could be compared to his appranently rough nature. He
also participated in the Tamil literature union of the Law College and spoke about
Thirukkural. All these lectures were given in November 1965.^^^

The Taskhent treaty was signed in January 1966. But after signing the
treaty Lai Bahadur Sastri died due to heart attack. Moraji Desai and Indira Gandhi
competed for the PM post and finally Indira Gandhi succeeded due to the indirect
support of K.Kamaraj.^^

the General council meeting of the DMK was held at Chennai on

30.L1966. The DMK conferences at Trichy and Tanjore were held on 16.6.1966
and 12.6.66 respectively. Perasiriar started the conference at Trichy and CVM
Annamalai at Tanjore. Anbil Dharmalingam gave the welcome address. The
Madurai district conference was held at Vathalakundu on 1.10.66. The Chingleput
district conference was held on 15.10.66 and Nellai district conference was held
on 16.10.66. The fourth general conference was held at Virugambakkam of
Chennai from 29.12.66 to 1.1.67.^^

a-
At this time Kalaigr^r Karunanidhi gave an interview to the famous Russian
Magazine Pravda in which he explained the situation in Tamilnadu. Though
congress professed social equality in practice it did not nationalise the banks and
the big mills. The economic inequality was increasing day by day private sector
{\
was developing. Secondly Tamilnadu was being neglected and was not given
 69
priority. Thirdly the language policy of the congress men was also responsible for
the slow decline of its hold. Kalaign^r Karunanidhi claimed that the DMK men
were the real communists. If they came to power they would not interfere in the
fundamental rights of the people. There would be real communism since DMK was
against the centralisation of powers at the centre. Kalaigner Karunanidhi declared
1. equality and rationalism in society, 2. equality in economy, 3. democracy in
politics were the policies of the party. '^

The party believed in democracy and at the same time in agitations also.
The antiprice rise agitations and the anti Hindi agitations thousands of DMK men
went to jail.'^^

Towards the end of Nov 1966 Madras govt, announc: fe%e

^ € states fourth plan

outlay with an investment of Rs.564 crores. In this states share was Rs.314 Crores
and that of the centre was 250 crores which was much bigger th^n the third plan.
But people were not worried about this since they were more worried about the
rising prices of the essential commodities. ^^^

There was severe water scarcity in Tamil Nadu at that time. Kalaign^r
Karunanidhi questioned the government as to why Kaveri water was not brought
to Chennai. Even at Trichy where Kaveri was flowing there was water scarcity. The
siruvani scheme was not implemented and so there was water scarcity in
Coimbatore also.'^^

The first world Tamil conference was held in Kualalampur in April 1966 due
to the efforts of the Tamils living in Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysian Prime
Minister Tungu Abdul Rehman opened the conference. 200 scholars from 37
 70
countries participated. M. Bakthavatsalam as CM of Tamil Nadu and Navaler
Nedunchezhian as the opposition leader participated in the conference. ^^^

Unlike the 1962 election, in 1967 election Rajaji was more determined to
form am_united front to oppose the Congress. He said that he would go all out to
help and support DMK in its efforts to form an united front in the election. ^^° The
keynote of the two day Trichy Tanjore Conference of DMK was the stress in the
formation of an united front to defeat congress in the general elections.'^^

In order to collect the election fund as promised, Kalaigner Karunanidhi

undertook a tour of the W)imbatore district. On an average he spoke in 15
meetings in a day and totally he spoke in 150 meetings. He was able to collect Rs
41,500 in this tour. Thiruvalluvar statue was opened on 2.6.1966 at Mylapore by
the than president Dr. Radhakrishnan.^^^

Prime Minister Ms. Indira Gandhi told the Loksabha that she did not want
to prolong the emergency a day longer than necessary.'^-^ Suddenly rupee was
devalued upto 36.5%. Due to this the prices of all the foreign goods increased.
The debt burden increased to Rs 2269 crores from 1500 crores. The domestic
prices also increased to a great extent.'^

In July 1966 when CM went to Delhi fee said that Selam steel plant would
definitely be included in the 4th five year plan. But in August he said that the
- ^
matter would be decided only in the month of December 6.necessary the DMK
A

party would join with the other political parties and agitate for the Salem steel
plant. Congress party talked about socialism but the central government had
 71
abolished the taxes to the tune of 116.31 lakhs to be remitted by six big traders
like Mytheen, Kunch Bihalllal and Thengethara.'^^

Among the eastern countries India was backward than all other countries
except Indonesia. For this Kamaraj explained that the benefit of the five year plans
did not reach the poor. Originally he said that debt could be repaid in Rupees. But
in August 1966 it said that the debt should be repaid only in dollars. At the same
time the Japanese economic experts said that they doubted whether India could
repay if they were given debt. This clearly showed the economic condition of India
at that time. 196

DMK could be an alternative to congress as it had 1) Progressive economic

policies 2) democratic feelings 3) National out look. This was the statement made
by samyukta socialist party leader Ram Manohar Lohia. Finally it became clear that
salem steel plant would not be included in the 4th five year plant since the Prime
Minister said that if the economic condition improved one could think of the salem
steel plant. When Kamaraj said creating salem steel plant was definite the Delhi
press reporter wrote that it was surprising to hear it.'^^

The Congress party ruling at the centre assured that it would have social
control over the important banks and the Insurance companies. It meant that it
would not nationalise them but the government would act if there was corruption
in them. The Rail^^way minister S.K. Patil said that the Banks and the Insurance
Companies could not be nationalised.'^^

As regards the Kalpakkam thermal power plant the French Company

emphasised that the French exports should be used in the plant. Since the
 72
government did not accept it the fund was diverted to construct on oil factory at
Haldia in^fest Bengal and for a manure producing factory. ^^^

At a meeting in the capital a large number of congress men expressed

concern at the infiltration of the congress by big business and feudal relics. They
tried to gain entry on a large scale in the legislative organs on the congress
ticket. In many states the congress bosses were hobnobbing with capitalists and
former princelings and in some cases entered IR-4O secret alliances.^™

Towards the end of November 1966 the Madras government announced

the states fourth plan out line with an investment of Rs 564 crores. In this the
states share was 314 crores and that of centre was 250 crores. This was much
bigger than the 3rd plan which was only 340 crores. But people were not worried
about it since they were more worried about the rising prices of essential
commodities. Possession of money cast local influence rather then merit and
intrinsic worth of the candidate weighed in the selection of most of the candidates
K. Kamaraj had the final say in the selection of the candidates.^°^

The pattern of donation collected by the various parties showed that the
congress had more touch with the big businessman.
Congress - 1,09,60,365
Swatandra - 15,99,424
Praja Socialist - 57,155
Jansangh - 6985
DMK - 301.

Though congress spoke about socialism it depended on rich people 202

 73

The last assembly meeting was held on 9.11.1966 in which Kalaign^r

Karunanidhi appreciated the good points and at the same time criticised the

demerits. While he appreciated the active nature of the CM. he would not like to

hope the undesirable stubbornness of the CM.^°^

Before going into the details of the election the situation should be studied.

The production had decreased prices had increased very much. The debt burden

of the govt had also increased. The govt was dependent on the foreign countries

for the import of food of grains. But at the same time the waste expenditure by

the govt did not decrease. When the budget of 1966 was submitted though there

was no new tax there were also no plan for raising the standard of living of the

people.^°^

The agitation for the food grains was continuing and there was police firing.

The educational institutions had been closed. As long as the emergency was

continuing the people could not protect their fundamental wights through the

court. The danger from China was a continuing affair and continuing emergency

was not proper. Repelling emergency would not bring any loss.^^

The central govt was continuing the process of Hindi imposition. The

central govt report said that due to the agitations in the south bringing Hindi into

the central govt offices had slowed down. But in the coming year the process

would be accelerated. This attitude of the central govt was responsible for the

continuous anti Hindi agitation.^°^

 74
The Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi herself accepted that there was food
scarcity in the country and said that ,EdiFa would lose her independence if self
sufficiency was not attained in a few years.^°''

K. Kamaraj was attached in Delhi by the men of the society demanding a

ban on cow slaughter. He was saved by Kothandapani a DMK man. Kamaraja's
house was also burnt. Kalaign^r Karunanidhi condemned this act in the Murasoli
dated8.11.1966.2°8

Kalaignar Karunanidhi went on a tour of Maharashtra and Gujarat to meet

CL.
the Tamils there and get the election fund. When Kalaignf r Karunanidhi reached
Mumbai there was ^ grand welcome by the party men. Then there was a
procession from Mathunga to Taravi. In these two areas there were considerable
number of Tamils. But they were generally poor and lived in huts. There was a
meeting and the collection of the election fund was Rs 12,000.^°^

hiLimSl
Kalaigner Karunanidhi went to Ahmedebad on 14.11.1966. The'blame-
which should have started at 7.00 AM started only at 5.00 PM. At the Ahmedebad
airport people were waiting for more than 12 hours throughout the day time Mani
nagar was the place in Ahmedebad where large number of Tamils lived. The fund
collected in the meeting was Rs 11,500.^^°

The fourth general conference was held at Virugambakkam for four days
from 29th Dec 1966. It was presided over by CM.A and inaugurated by Kalaignar
Karunanidhi. In the procession nearly 3 lakhs people participated several rasfr of"
people observed the procession from buildings trees and the roads. Hundreds of
decorated trucks nearly 500 buses and lorries and more than 10,000 cycles took
 75
part in it. The procession went for a length of 7 miles. The procession started at
3.30 PM and ended at 9.30 PM. While describing this procession Dinamani said
that if processions and agitations could be taken as the measurement of the
elections success ^ e it could be said that the DMK had already won.^"

In the election manifesto the DMK said that the party had started agitations
when the price increase^ started. But at that time the congress govt did not
accept the rise in the prices as a problem, but later it accepted that it was a
problem in order to protect Tamil and in order to oppose Hindi imposition the
people believed ^0'only the DMK party.^'^

The election manifesto of DMK was as follows.

1) Opposing Hindi domination

2) Working for Tamil development
3) All the 14 languages should be declared as the official languages.
4) In the all India competitive examinations apart from Hindi Tamil should also
be allowed.
5) Checking the price rise.
6) Changing the name of Madras State into Tamil Nadu.
7) Compulsory procurement of food grains.
8) Removing the social inequality.
9) Taking efforts for Salem steel plant and Sedhu Samudra scheme.
10) Mationalisation of banks and buses.
11) Opposing the rupee devaluation.
12) Reducing the taxes.
13) Land reformation.
 76
14) Increasing the wage of the labourers.
15) Welfare of the labourers.
16) Equal salary for the state and the central govt employees.
17) Removing the gold control.
18) Support to the co-optex industry
19) Regulating the trade fax
20) House for the scheduled caste men
21) Welfare of the Backward class
22) More powers for the states.
23) Removing the Governor post
24) Preventing the misuse of emergency, defence of India Act and preventive
detention.
25) Judicial enquiry for the corruption charges.
26) Rights of women
27) Legalising the self respect marriages.^^^

Leaders like Rajaji, Quaidemilleth, Ma.Po.Si, Mohammad Goya pafehl

Thangal also participated in the Viruamagbakkam- conference.^^" Rajaji said that
the economic condition was very bad and congress had become decayed fruit and
OL
so it should be removed. In that conference Kalaign$r Karunanidhi as the treasurer
of the party gave Rs 11 lakhs collected tfuring the previous year. C.N.A^ave
saldapet constituency to K K since he should be present in Chennal to spend the
election fund properly.^^^

On 14.2.1967 K K went to Ma.Po.Si's party office and at that time he saw

three cars were following him. Then he went to the party office at Mylapore and
 77
from there to Saidapet Via Kottur. At kbttur he stopped near his office. At this time
the rowdies from the three cars came out shouting with weapons. It was near the
women's hospital and Kalaigner Karunanidhi was pushed inside the hospital by his
partymen. One DMK youth took Kalaigner Karunanidhi by hand and ran with him
through the back door. He took Kalaigner Karunanidhi to small hut were a
husband his wife and a small child were present. There was a rope cot in which
Kalaigner Karunanidhi was made to lie down and old clothes were placed on him
and in such a way he was saved.^^^

In the early morning at about 5.00 AM K.R. Ramasamy's tone was heard
out side the hut and he had come along with some police men. Instead of taking
action against those who attached, Venkitangal Santhanam and Rajagopal who
were also attacked along with Kalaigner Karunanidhi had been arrested and put
in the lock up on a false complaint given by the attackers. They were released on
bail only after Kalaigner Karunanidhi argued as to why he was also not arrested
if the complaint given by the attackers was true.^"
 78

The period covered in this chapter is extensive from 1 gZ^f to 1967. The

changes were gradual lent definite. The birth of Dravidar kazhagam, Dravida

Munnetra Kazhagam and the growth of the D.M.K. Party were spectacular,

V.Kalaignar Karunanidhi started his anti - Hindi Struggle at the age of-Himsetf. He

played important roles in the founding of the D.K and D.M.K. parties. The growth

of the D.M.K. Party was simultaneous with the growth of his popularity. While the

D.M.K.Party did not, participate in the 1952 election it Govt. 15 seats in the 1957

election and 50 seats in 1962 election. Kalaignar Karunanidhi played a vital role

in the Kallakudi struggle. He bold &f lay down before the train and was arrested.

Others also followed his example. He won both in the 1957 election in the

Kulithalai constituency and the 1962 election in the Tanjore constituency. His role

in winning the Municipal elections and in the Chennai Corporation elections and

in the Chennai Corporation election were brilliant. Though C.lN.AnnadepJwwas

^' ^ '

afraid of Victory in the Chennai Corporation election and waited to field candidates

only in d®or 30 seats. But Kalaignar Karunanidhi fielded candidates in 90 seats

and won in 45 seats.

Kalaignar Karunanidhi was consistent in opposing Hindi. In 1965 and Hindi

Struggle he was arrested under section 30 (1) of the defence act and confined in

an isolated cell for 62 days. Likewise he boldly crawled on the slope of the

Teppakkulam post office building at Trichy and erased the Hindi names in the

name board.
 79

REFERENCE

1. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, F4enfttkkti-N€€dhi; ^olume-I,-ThirumaciaJ-Milavam-,

Ghennai—4-7-^45347 ^ 10. "^

2. Ibid, ^.27

3. Kalaignar M^Karunanidbi, Uvamaikkalanjiyam. BharatJii Nilayam, Chennai -

17rT988, f'.27.

4. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, M€fljukku-Jfe@^^--^H"-Thiramagai^^

Chefinai-a7r4894,.. f'.SS.

5. Ibid, k39

6. Ibid, f>A5

7. Ibid, 1^.50 •

8. CChittibabu, Ti.Mu.Ka Varalaru, D.M.K. Party Publications, 1975, P.31.

9. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhim Op.Cit/, k54.

/'

10. Ibid, P36.

1. Ibid, k66
12. S.Swaminathan, Kalaignar Karunanidhi, Affiliated East West Press Private
Limited, Mew Delhi, 1974, ^.23.

13. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., k73.

14. Ibid, {5.74

 80
15. CChittibabu, Op.Cit., |D.31.

16. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., (^.85.

17. T.M.Parthasarathy, Ti.Mu.Ka. Varalaru Bharathi Nllayam, Chennai - 17,

1986, k22.

18. Mupprum Vizha Malar. Anna Pathippagam, Chennai - 35, 1988 1^.16.

19. Kalaignar M.Karunanicihi, Op.Cit., k l 0 2 .

20. Ibid, ^.89

21. Ibid, k9\.

22. Ibid, i)A03

23. T.M.Parthasarathy, Op.Cit., ^.34.

24. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., k l 0 7 .

25. Ibid, ^.115.

26. T.M.Parthasarathy, Op.Cit., pA7.

27. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., k l l 7 .

28. T.M.Parthsarathy, Op.Cit., ^.47.

29. Ibid, ^.48

30. Ibid, ^.52

31. Ibid, t^.lOO.

32. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., ^.126

 81

33. S.Swaminathan, Op.Cit., P.l.

34. Kalaignar M.Karunanldhi, Op.Cit., pA59.

35. T.M.Parthasarathy, Op.Cit, k l l 5 .

36. Ibid, 15.122.

37. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit., f'.73.

38. T.M.Parthasarathy, Op.Cit., k l 3 1 .

39. Ibid, Kl34.

40. Ibid, {>A35.

41. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.cit., |3.167.

42. Mupperum Vizha Malar, Op.Cit., b.l7.

43. Ibid, ^ 1 8

44. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., I'.171.

45. Ibid, k l 7 3 .

46. Ibid, Kl77.

47. Ibid, t'.177.

48. CChittibabu, Op.Cit., ^5.74

49. Kalaignar M.Karunanldhi, Op.Cit., ^.179.

50. T.M.parthasarathy, Op.Cit., pA47.

 82

51. Kalaignar M. Kamnanidhi, Op. Cit. /f). 180.

52. T.M.Parthasarathy, Op.Cit., 1^.141.

53. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., P.187.

54. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit., ^92.

55. Ibid, k 93

56. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., kl91.

57. CChittibabu, Op.Cit., >.97.

58. Ibid, k99

59. Ibid, b.l08

60. R.Perumal, Karunanidhi, Tamil Dravidian, Indian, Bharathi Nilayam, 1986,

k64.

61. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., [3.213.

62. S.Swaminathan, Op.Cit., 15.24.

63. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., 'P.226.

63. . Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., ,f).226.

64. Ibid, 1^.253

65. Ibid, ^5.258

66. S.Swaminathan, Op.Cit, fP.26.

67. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., ^274.

 83

68. Ibid, /^.ZTe

69. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit, ^.146.

70. C.N.Annaduraih letter dated 2.12.1956.

71. Drafeidanadu dated 30.12.1956.

72. Kalalgnar M.Karunanidhl, Op.Cit., b.278.

73. Ibid, {^.280

74. Ibid, P.278

75. Ibid, V.279

76. Ibid, k285

77. Ibid, ^P.287

78. Ibid, >.295

79. Ibid, V.299

80. Ibid,'1^.309

81. C.Chittibabum Op.Cit., i?. 197.

82. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, P.316

83. Ibid, >.323

84. Ibid, ^.324

85. Ibid, V.342

 84

86. Ibid, ^343

87. Ibid, P.351

88. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit, P.2n.

89. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, 1^.357.

90. Manivizhamalar, Manivizha Committee, Chennai - 18, 1984 -^.76.

91. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi Op.Cit., J3.359.

92. Ibid, f).369

93. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit, J3.231

94. Ibid, ^.237

95. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhl, Op.Cit., p.375.

96. Kalaignar MrKaftmanidhi,, Gvamalkkalaniyam, Bharathi Nllayam, Chennai -

T7ri988r?.78.

97. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., (3.375.

98. CChttibabu, Op.Cit., f5.215.

99. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, {3.381.

100. Ibid, k382

101. Ibid, ^385

102. Ibid, k387

103. Ibid, 1^.387

 85

104. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit., {3.274.

105. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op. Cit.,f3.390.

106. Ibid, k391

107. Ibid, K4OO

108. Ibid, 1^.403

109. Ibid, 'PAIS

110. Md,.fPA19

111. S.Swaminathan, Op.Cit., P.27.

112. CChittibabu, Op.Cit., k295.

113. Ibid, k298.

114. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., 'p.426.

115. Mupperum Vizha Malar. Op.Cit.. ^P.16.

116. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., P.428.

117. Ibid, 430.

A
118. Ibid, ,431.
/I

119. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit., 1^.299.

120. Ibid, V.302.

121. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., (^.433.

 86

122. CChittibabu, Op.Cit, ^303.

123. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., ^.437.

124. Ibid, k444

125. Ibid, K455

126. Swadesmitran dated 22.07.63, ^.3.

127. Swadesamitran dated 13.08.63, t'.l.

128. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, 1^.458.

129. Swadesaamitran. dated 25.8.63, ^.2.

130. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, ^.471.

131. Swadesamitran dated 11.9.63 ^ 3 .

132. Swadesamitran dated 6.10.63. P.3.

133. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, b.485.

134. Swadesamitran dated 14.10.63, ^.2.

135. CChittibabu, Op.Cit, ^304.

136. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, ^.491.

137. Ibid, k496.

138. Ibid, ^498.

139. CChittibabu, Op.Cit, ^313.

 87

140. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., f'.S & 3

141. Ibid, P.504.

142. Ibid 1^.513.

143. CChittibabu, Op.Cit., (^.316

144. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., P.515.

145. Ibid, t'.519.

146. Ibid, k521.

147. The Mail, dated 27.5.1964, ^ 2 .

148. The Mail dated 2.6.64, k 1

149. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, '1^.522.

150. Ibid, ^526. "

151. The Mail dated 23.9.64, ^.2

152. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., {'.536.

153. The Mail dated 23.9.64, ^ 3

154. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., 1^.537.

155. The Mail dated 7.10.64, fp.l.

156. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, (^.540.

157. Ibid, ['.541.

 88

158. Ibid, f'.543.

159. The Hindu dated 8.1.65, ^3.

160. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, P.547.

161. The Hindu dated 22.1.65, t>.6.

162. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit.,^.553

164. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., P.555.

165. The Hindu dated 27.1.65, P.3

166. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, i'.558.

167. The Hindu dated 29.1.65, i^.5.

168. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit, ^559.

169. Ibid, p.562.

170. Ibid, ^5.565.

171. The Hindu dated 14.02.65, \>.5

172. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhl, Op.Cit, k570.

173. Ibid, k580.

174. The Hindu dated 15.2.1965, ^ 3 .

175. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi ^ Oh'^ C c t y ^' ^ ' ^ '

176. Ibid, (P.594

 89

177. Ibid, I'.SQS

178. Ibid, ^5.597

179. Ibid, ^.599

180. Ibid, f'.605

181. Ibid, \P.606

182. Ibid, P.en

183. Ibid, *P.616

184. CChittibabu, Op.Cit., k329.

185. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., P.619.

186. Ibid, ^.620.

187. K.S.Ramanujam, Op.Cit., ^.152.

188. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., '^'.622.

189. Ibid.^f-<^>^^'

190. K.S.Ramanujam, Op.Cit., k l 4 0 .

191. K.S.Ramanujann, Op.Cit., ^.140

191. Ibid, PA42.

192. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., p-Qlfl '

193. The Hindu, P.629 dated 2.3.1966, "93.

 90

194. Kalalgnar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., f'.634.

195. Kanchi. dated 2.10.66

M96. Kanchi. dated 2.10.66

197. Kanchi. dated 9.10.66

198. Kanchi. dated 30.10.66

199. Kanchi. dated 6.11.66

200. K.S.Ramanujan% Op.Cit, b.l52.

201. Ibid, k l 5 7 .

202. Kanchi dated 29.1.67.

203. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., ^.647.

204. Kanchi, dated 6.3.66.

205. Editorial of Dinamani dated 20.2.1966.

206. The Central Government report Published on 18.4.1966.

207. Kanchi, dated 17.4.1966.

208. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., ^.649.

209. Ibid, {5.652.

210. Ibid, b.654

211. Ibid, /'.660.

 91

212. C.Chittibabu, Op.Cit., 1^.337.

213. Ibid, ^ 3 4 1 .

214. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, Op.Cit., f'.662.

215. ibid, 1^.665.

216. Ibid, k658.

217. Ibid, k669.