BENGALURU: While the demise of DMK patriarch and a giant political leader M. Karunanidhi is being mourned everywhere, in Bengaluru he is being remembered for his efforts to bring about rapprochement between Kannadigas and Tamil speaking population in the city. He along with the then Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa unveiled the statue of ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar in Bengaluru.
On January 1, 2000, the DMK leader took a vow that his next public programme in Bengaluru would only be to unveil Thiruvalluvar statue at Ulsoor, which despite being completed in 1991 was not unveiled due to opposition from certain groups.
In August 2009, steps were taken by the then chief ministers Mr Karunanidhi and Mr Yeddyurappa and statue of Thiruvalluvar was unveiled at Ulsoor and in the same month the statue of Kannada poet Sarvajna was unveiled in Chennai.
During the inauguration of Thiruvalluvar statue, Mr Karunanidhi had declared that he has found a brother in Mr Yeddyurappa and asked people of both the state should open their hearts and share a cordial relationship with each other. Ramachandran N., member of Bangalore Tamil Sangam and president of Kannada Tamil Harmony and Social Welfare Trust said "The idols were installed to put an end to the bitterness between the Kannadigas and Tamils. It was much needed as some fringe elements had created rift between the people of two states for their selfish motives."
President of Bangalore Tamil Sangam T.G. Damodar stated, "He always had a special care for Tamils living in Karnataka. His loss is not only for his partymen but for Tamils across the world." He recalled that the DMK chief on his birth anniversary had donated Rs 50,000 in 1973 for the construction of Sangam's building.
Security beefed up in sensitive areas
Patrolling has been intensified in the city, especially in areas with a sizeable population of Tamil speaking population, especially Indira Nagar, Ulsoor and adjoining areas. A senior police officer said that security cover has been provided to Karunanidhi’ s daughter house in Ragigudda near Jayanagar and J.P. Nagar junction. The city police are in regular touch with the Tamil Nadu police in the border areas for coordination, added a senior police officer.
T.P. Shivakumar, Superintendent of Bengaluru Rural, said that all the DSP’s and all district police chiefs, have been deployed at border areas and the security has been strengthened along the border areas. The senior officer further said, “All the liquor shops have been closed in wake of the news. The situation is peaceful in the rural areas. We have also spoken to our counterparts in Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. And in a joint exercise, the police forces have been deployed near bordering areas.” According to the police, private vehicles are being allowed to cross borders.
