M Karunanidhi threatens agitation against Sanskrit
During the Assembly election campaign, the DMK had focused on development and governance, but failed to capture power narrowly.
Chennai: Signaling that the DMK is moving towards Tamil identity politics after its failure to capture power for the second consecutive time, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Monday threatened a stir against Sanskrit similar to the anti-Hindi agitations.
Speaking at the marriage function in the family of former state minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna, he recalled the antiquity of Tamil and how it was the dominant language during the reign of the ancient Tamil kingdoms. He also alleged that there were efforts to give a prominent place for Sanskrit in Tamil Nadu and people should take the whip against the dominance of Sanskrit.
During the Assembly election campaign, the DMK had focused on development and governance, but failed to capture power narrowly. The tone of Karunanidhi’s opposition to Sanskrit was very harsh and it follows a statement by him on the subject.
“Tamils should vow to drive away Sanskrit, who ever imposed it. There is no place for Sanskrit in Tamil Nadu”, he asserted. Karunanidhi said he had initially said he would not be able to attend the marriage function and finally participated in the function despite the condition of his health.
“While I was thinking of improving the conduct of self-respect marriages, we should also be aware that a few attempts affecting our language policy are going on in the country. There is a question if Sanskrit will invade Tamil Nadu again. Only chaste Tamil should dominate our life and state, but there are people who are thinking of making Sanskrit compulsory in schools”.
Citing a derogatory reference on Sanskrit by Tamil scholar Somasundara Bharathiar, Karunanidhi said those who want to impose Sanskrit should stop their moves. If they refused to do so, an agitation against Sanskrit similar to the anti-Hindi agitations will take place in Tamil Nadu, he warned.
DMK general secretary K. Anbazhgan, treasurer M.K. Stalin, principal secretary K. Duraimurugan and TNCC president E.V.K.S. Elangovan attended the marriage function.