Kallakudi demonstration

title

1953 Kallakudi demonstration

partof

Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu

date

July 15, 1953

time-end

14:00 PM IST

place

Kallakudi, Tiruchirappalli district, Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), India

coordinates

10.96669°N, 78.94989°W

causes

Renaming of Kallakudi as Dalmiapuram

goals

To revert the name Dalmiapuram to Kallakudi

methods

Picketing, rail blockade, defacement

result

Protesters arrested and sentenced to imprisonment and fine

side1

Protesters supported by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) [[Image:Flag DMK.svg|18px]]

side2

[[Image:Emblem of India.svg|18px]] Government of India [[Image:Tamil Nadu Emblem.png|18px]] Government of Madras * Tiruchirappalli District Police Dalmia Group

leadfigures1

[[Image:Flag DMK.svg|18px]] M. Karunanidhi; 4 others [[Image:Flag DMK.svg|18px]] Rama Subbaiah; 25 others [[Image:Flag DMK.svg|18px]] Kannadasan; 40 others * [[Image:Flag DMK.svg|18px]] Nagore E. M. Hanifa

leadfigures2

[[Image:Tamil Nadu Emblem.png|18px]] District Magistrate of Tiruchirappalli [[Image:Tamil Nadu Emblem.png|18px]] Constables headed by the district Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and a Circle Inspector (CI)

injuries

28 (policemen - 12; civilians - 16)

fatalities

arrests

31+

detentions

M. Karunanidhi and 4 others sentenced to 5 months in prison

fined

M. Karunanidhi and 4 others fined ₹.35 each

The Kallakudi demonstration was organised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on 15 July 1953 in Kallakudi, Tiruchirappalli district against naming the place as Dalmiapuram. Ramakrishna Dalmia, a businessman from Bihar, established a cement factory in Kallakudi and the place was renamed Dalmiapuram on his request. DMK opposed the move as a suppression of South Indians by North India. It was the first notable demonstration by M Karunanidhi, the five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and his party, the DMK. The DMK party blocked passenger trains during the protest.

The police opened fire on the demonstration killing two civilians and injuring 16 others. Twelve policemen were injured, including The Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Circle Inspector and ten other constables. The demonstration was the first notable demonstration by DMK and for M Karunanidhi who would go on to become the five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The government ordered an open judicial enquiry into the incident headed by the District Magistrate of Madurai and the Principal Subordinate Judge of Tuticorin. The judicial enquiries and later court proceedings led to Karunanidhi and the four others arrested getting sentenced to five months in prison and a fine of 35 Rupees on each. The demonstration was a part of Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu, which has lasting political impact on Tamil Nadu.

Background

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party under the leadership of Anna, wanted to launch a demonstration against the ruling Congress Party

Legacy

The demonstration was the first notable demonstration by DMK, which separated from its parent Dravidar Kazhagam in 1949 and for M Karunanidhi who would go on to become the five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. It was helping the party build momentum against the ruling Congress Party. The DMK continued running the Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu along with the secessionist demand for Dravida Nadu. C. Rajagopalachari, who was the ruling Chief Minister of the state from Congress Party had to resign in 1954 on account of internal compulsions from his own party men. K. Kamaraj who was leading the internal opposition against Rajagopalachari under the aegis of E V Ramasami (EVR), went on to become the Chief Minister of the state.Whenever the government introduced Hindi as a compulsory language in schools, anti-Hindi protests happened led by Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) (erstwhile Justice Party) and E V Ramasami (EVR).[4] EVR, who was opposing Congress on Hindi grounds so far, softened his stand and started to support Kamaraj through his regime from 1954 to 1963 as one of his demands of a non-Brahmin chief minister was met.[5] While DK was supporting Congress and the Kamaraj regime, DMK continued opposing the Congress moves with mass demonstrations in the themes of separate Dravidian state. Some of the political historians believe that DMK used the demonstration to lobby for high representation in parliament.[6] On 28 January 1956, Annadurai along with E V Ramasami and Rajagopalachari signed a resolution passed by the Academy of Tamil Culture endorsing the continuation of English as the official language.[7][8] M. Karunanidhi who became the Chief minister after the death of Annadurai in 1969, renamed the Dalmiapuram station to Kallakudi.[9]

Criticism

Critics have pointed out that Karunanidhi in later years as Chief Minister, renamed the Old Mahabalipuram Road to Rajiv Gandhi Salai as opposed to Tamil sentiments. Another criticism about the incident is that it did not create any impact or lasting legacy on socio-political landscape. As per historian Thanjai Nalankilli, "the Dalmiapuram – Kallakudi agitation did not have a burning root cause or a lasting impact on Tamil Nadu. Yet this rather "unimportant" agitation became front-page news and a prominent event in the history of Dravidian parties because of the dramatic lying down before the train and the subsequent high-handed police actions".[10] Another view from the experts state that Karunanidhi carefully crafted his image during the 6 months of imprisonment utilizing double theme of dead men and earth.[11] As per another view, Anna was upset with Karunanidhi was overdoing the agitation as it led to the death of six people.[12]

Kallakudi demonstration

Background

Demonstration

Legacy

Criticism

In popular culture

Literature

Film

External links

References