M. Karunanidhi: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

| deputy              = [[M. K. Stalin]]<br>{{small|(from 2009)}}

| term_start12        = 27 January 1989

| term_end12          = 7 August 2018

| constituency12      = [[Harbour (state assembly constituency)|Harbour]] (1989–1996) <br /> [[Chepauk (state assembly constituency)|Chepauk]] (1996–2011) <br /> [[Tiruvarur (state assembly constituency)|Thiruvarur]] (2011–2018)

| term_start13       = 1 April 1957

| term_end13         = 18 August 1983

| constituency13      = [[Kulithalai (state assembly constituency)|Kulithalai]] (1957–1962) <br /> [[Thanjavur (state assembly constituency)|Thanjavur]] (1962–1967) <br /> [[Saidapet (state assembly constituency)|Saidapet]] (1967–1977) <br /> [[Anna Nagar (state assembly constituency)|Anna Nagar]] (1977–1983)

|office15             =  [[Leader of Opposition|Deputy Leader of the Opposition]] in [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]

| office14           = [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council|Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]]

| term_start14       = 30 March 1984<ref>http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/7th_1980/7threview_80-84.pdf 7th Review 1980-84</ref>

| term_end14         = 1 November 1986<ref>[https://indiankanoon.org/doc/195458/ indiankanoon.org].</ref>

| 1blankname14       = Chief Minister

| 1namedata14         = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]

| predecessor14       = K. A. Krishnasway

| successor14         = ''position abolished''

| website            = {{url|https://kalaignar.dmk.in/}}

During his political career, Karunanidhi advocated for increased [[State (polity)|state autonomy]] and [[affirmative action]] to favour lower castes.<ref name="FT_Kamzin" /> He implemented a caste-based quota system for government employment and government school students, as well as subsidies to the poor. His initiatives were quickly adopted in other Indian states. His initiatives earned him popularity among the [[lower caste]]s.<ref name="NYT_Abi-Habib" /> He was frequently confronted with accusations of [[nepotism]].<ref name="BBC-Aug-2018" /> He has also stirred controversies by publicly supporting the LTTE and other separatist groups in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/karunanidhi-doyen-dravidian-686169.html|title=Obituary: Karunanidhi, the doyen of Dravidian politics|date=7 August 2018|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref> During his different tenures, he implemented a number of initiatives aimed at promoting the expansion of industry in the state.<ref name="BS_Narasimhan" /> He was also instrumental in erecting a 133-foot [[Thiruvalluvar Statue|monument of Thiruvalluvar]] in Kanyakumari<ref name="BS_Narasimhan" /> and ensuring classical language status to [[Tamil language]].<ref name="DC-june-14-2018" />

Karunanidhi was born on 3 June 1924, in the village of [[Thirukkuvalai]] in [[Nagapattinam district]], [[Madras Presidency]], to Ayyadurai (Grand father) Muthuvel and Anjugam. He had two elder sisters, Periyanayaki and Shanmugasundari.<ref name="Ravishankar20188">{{cite book|last=Ravishankar|first=Sandhya |title=Karunanidhi: A Life in Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wzJVDwAAQBAJ|date=31 May 2018|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers India|isbn=978-93-5277-920-8}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=April 2020}} There was some misconception that his birth name was ''Dakshinamurthy'',<ref name="HTobit">{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kalaignar-m-karunanidhi-dies-in-chennai-the-dravidan-sun-has-set/story-7f3xqaTm6Qul57dc91iKXM.html|title=Kalaignar Karunanidhi dies in Chennai: The colossus of Dravidian politics|date=7 August 2018|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref> later changed to ''Karunanidhi'' as influenced by [[Dravidian movement|Dravidian]] and [[rationalism|rationalist movements]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kalaignar-m-karunanidhi-dravidian-stalwart-passes-away/article24624489.ece|title=Obituary: M. Karunanidhi, Dravidian stalwart|last=Kolappan|first=B.|date=7 August 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=9 August 2018|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Anand |first1=S. |title=With Them / Against Them |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/with-them-against-them/218704 |access-date=9 August 2018 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=27 January 2003}}</ref> Karunanidhi himself stated that [[C.N. Annadurai]] asked him to keep his birthname "Karunanidhi", since it is already popular among the people.<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 July 2018|title=கருணாநிதி – பெயர் வந்தது எப்படி?|work=Sun News|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-_Rgm2ILRY|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>{{Additional citation needed|date=April 2020}} In his own writings Karunanidhi said that his family were of the [[Devadasi]] (renamed as [[Isai Vellalar]]) caste, a small community that traditionally played musical instruments at ceremonial occasions;<ref name="Ravishankar20188" /><ref name="HTobit" /> however his political rival [[M. G. Ramachandran]] and some observers contested that and said that he was of [[Telugu people|Telugu ancestry]].<ref>For claims of Karunanidhi's Telugu ancestry see: *{{Cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/blogs/politics/vvp-sharma/after-series-of-outsider-chief-ministers-sasikala-to-be-first-tamil-cm-after-29-years-14329-1345645.html|title=After Series of 'Outsiders', Sasikala to be first Tamil CM in 29 Years|work=[[News18]]|last=Sharma|first=V. V. P.|date=8 February 2017|access-date=9 August 2018}} *{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/no-real-tamil-speaking-leaders-in-tn.html|title=No real Tamil-speaking leaders in TN!|work=[[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]]|last=Chellappan|first=Kumar|date= 23 December 2014|access-date=9 August 2018}} *{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/tamil-pride-what-s-that/story-ohWnEClFyFeYwjAzxax57L.html|title=Tamil pride: What's that?|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=4 May 2006|access-date=9 August 2018}}</ref> Karunanidhi started his education at a local school. Karunanidhi's father was eager to teach him music. His music teachers were from the Isai Vellalar group, and the lessons were conducted in temples where he was not allowed to cover his upper body, wear slippers, or wear a cotton cloth around his hips as a sign of respect for the [[Caste system in India|upper caste]] people. He couldn't tolerate learning in an environment where he wasn't treated with respect, which made his father agree to stop his music classes. His father also asked the local headmaster to set up special tutoring courses for Karunanidhi and paid a tuition fee of milk every morning and evening.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=25}}<ref name="PanneerselvanFrontline">{{cite web | last=Panneerselvan | first=A.S. | title=Relentless legislator | website=Frontline | date=17 August 2018 | url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article24703216.ece | access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref><blockquote>My music lessons were actually my first political studies. I learnt about the oppression of humans based on their caste. I saw the delight with which certain individuals could humiliate others, and the self-righteousness of others in carrying out their customs without realizing that they were mistreating a large majority of the people.<ref name="PanneerselvanFrontline" />

At the age of fifteen, Karunanidhi started his own magazine ''Maanavanesan'' ({{translation|friends of students}}). He along with his friends would make fifty copies of the magazine and circulate it and also sometimes mailed them to the leaders of Self-respect movement.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=33}} A political activist after reading his magazine asked him to lead the forum for peace, liberty equality and justice, he accepted and became its elected secretary. Later, he dissolved the forum after there was a blatant attempt to convert the forum into as a front of the [[Congress party]]. He refunded the subscription money many refused to take the refund.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=34}} Using the rest of seventy-five rupees, he started the Tamil Nadu Tamil students association in 1941.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=35}} In 1942, the association held an annual function attended by [[Bharathidasan]] [[K. Anbazhagan|K.A Anbazhagan]] and [[K. A. Mathiazhagan]] and student leaders from [[Annamalai University|Annamalai university]]. He couldn't afford to pay for the invitees' and guest speakers' travels and expenditures, so he was forced to steal a gold necklace that his mother had made for him but which he rarely wore, pawned it for 50 rupees, and paid his invitees.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=35}}

He failed three times in his final exams. During the result day, unable to face his family over his third consecutive failure, he left to [[Thopputhurai]] in search of his classmate Asan Abdul Kaathar who consoled him. He then started his passion of writing as a career.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=37}} In Thiruvarur, he started writing and staging plays. These plays served as a channel for the Dravidian movement's ideology to spread. In Thiruvarur, he presented a play named ''Palaniappan'' to raise cash for his student association. The total amount collected was only Rs 80, despite the fact that the performance had cost him Rs 200 to stage. He had no idea how he was going to repay the debt he owed to the individuals who were now harassing him for it. He travelled with his friend Thennavan for Nagapattinam, keen to take his chances somewhere else and met with R. V Gopal, a local leader of the Dravidar Kazhagam. Gopal sympathised with his situation but was hesitant to lend him the money but Instead bought the play for Rs 100. The sale of his first play made his to write more ideological plays.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=37}}{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=38}}<ref name="theprintVAASANTHI" />

His parents didn't approve of his writing career. They advised him to look for a job that would pay him at least Rs 50 per month. He was determined on not taking a regular job. Karunanidhi then fell in love with a girl. He was certain that the girl was infatuated with him as well. When he and his family met the girl's parents, they demanded that if a wedding was to take place, it must be performed in the presence of [[Brahmin priest]]s and [[vedic chanting]]. Karunanidhi rejected, citing his belief in the [[Self-Respect Movement|Self-Respect movement]] as justification.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=38}}<ref name="theprintVAASANTHI" />

After marriage, he worked as a playwright through the help of R.V Gopal who help his earlier with his play.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=42}} Their first camp for the troupe was at Villupuram where he was joined by his friends Thennavan and C.T Murthy. Their plays failed to bring people even after the attendance of Periyar and Annadurai. The failure was due to their comments against the caste prejudices, the troupe was named "Dravida Theatre group", the term "Dravida" was perceived to be a term for [[Dalit]]s and hence non-Dalits boycotted it.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=43}} The troupe started to play in [[Pondicherry]] which was at the time a hub for social cultural and political change. His plays were an instant success and people started to call him as "Sivaguru", the name of his character.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=43}} During his stay in Pondicherry, Karunanidhi penned "''That Pen!''" a criticism of Gandhi and the Congress centred on a pen which was lost from the [[Sabarmati Ashram]], which infuriated the congress workers. He followed up with a piece titled "''What If Gandhi Became Viceroy?''" Later, members of the congress attacked a public gathering in Pondicherry attended by Periyar, Annadurai, and Pattukottai Azhagirisamy. Karunanidhi was chased down and beaten until he fell unconscious. They dropped his unconscious body into the sewers and departed, thinking he was dead. He was nursed back by an old women and taken to Periyar who applied medicines to him and took him to Erode along with him where he worked as an assistant editor with Periyar's ''[[Kudi Arasu]]'' magazine in [[Erode]] for a year.{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=44}}{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=45}}{{sfn|Panneerselvan|2021|p=46}}<ref name="Scroll_881373">{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/881373/when-karunanidhi-was-beaten-unconscious-by-congress-workers-for-criticising-gandhi|title=When Karunanidhi was beaten unconscious by Congress workers for criticising Gandhi|first=Sandhya|last=Ravishankar|website=Scroll.in}}</ref>

The first major protest that aided Karunanidhi in gaining ground in Tamil politics was his involvement in the [[Kallakudi demonstration]] in [[Kallakudi]] in 1953 when he was 29. The original name of this industrial town was Kallakudi. Kallakudi was renamed as "Dalmiapuram" by the state administration led by [[C. Rajagopalachari|Rajagopalachari]] to commemorate the [[North India]]n business magnate Ram Krishan Dalmia, who owned a cement factory there.<ref name="Scroll_1924-2018">{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/824295/m-karunanidhi-1924-2018-five-time-tamil-nadu-cm-dravidian-champion-gritty-political-survivor|title=M Karunanidhi (1924-2018): Five-time Tamil Nadu CM, Dravidian champion, gritty political survivor|first=Sruthisagar|last=Yamunan|website=Scroll.in}}</ref> DMK wanted to change the name back to Kallakudi because Ram Krishna Dalmia depicted north Indian hegemonic power and predatory businesses. In the protest Karunanidhi and his companions erased the name Dalmiapuram from the railway station and lay down on the tracks blocking the course of trains. Six people died in the protest and Karunanidhi was arrested and was sent to jail for six months.<ref>[[#Ramaswamy|Ramaswamy 1997]], p. 226</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-kallakudi-agitation-became-turning-point-karunanidhi-s-political-life-145744|title=How the Kallakudi agitation became a turning point in Karunanidhi's political life|date=23 March 2021|website=The News Minute}}</ref>

During this time, Karunanidhi recognised the necessity for a regular engagement with party cadres. He began sending daily letters to his party members, whom he referred to as udanpirappukal (blood brothers), a practice he followed for fifty years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/books/when-karunanidhi-starred-in-the-anti-hindi-agitation/cid/1778161|title=When Karunanidhi starred in the anti-Hindi agitation|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

Annadurai declared Karunnanidhi as a DMK candidate for the February [[1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election]], at the DMK's State-level meeting at [[Virugambakkam]], Chennai. Karunanidhi, as DMK treasurer, raised 11 lakh rupees for the party's election campaign.<ref name="frontlineMilestones" /> For the first time, the DMK was elected with an absolute majority in February 1967 and Annadurai became the Chief minister.<ref name="frontlineMilestones" /> After being elected to the [[Saidapet (state assembly constituency)|Saidapet Assembly constituency]] in Chennai in March 1967, Karunanidhi was appointed as the Minister of [[Tamil Nadu Public Works Department]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/080818/hard-early-days-shape-m-karunanidhis-cosmopolitan-outlook.html|title=Hard early days shape M Karunanidhi's cosmopolitan outlook|date=8 August 2018|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>

During his tenure, he granted legal status to [[Self-Respect marriages|self-respect marriages]] and implemented a number of other programs aimed at protecting women and children.<ref name="news18+March-11-2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/karunanidhi-the-social-reformer-who-changed-the-landcape-of-tamil-nadu-politics-1837827.html|title=Social Equality was Karunanidhi's Focus During Five Terms as Tamil Nadu CM|date=11 March 2019|website=[[News18]]}}</ref> Karunanidhi's administration established the Sattanathan commission for backward classes in 1969 to recognize underprivileged groups and give them with representation in government employment and educational institutions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/889760/with-pioneering-schemes-karunanidhi-was-a-champion-of-social-justice-both-in-words-and-in-deeds|title=With pioneering schemes, Karunanidhi provided a model for the politics of social justice in India|first=Karthick Ram|last=Manoharan|website=Scroll.in}}</ref> He implemented the "Manu Needhi Thittam", which mandated district officials to set aside a day every week to hear public grievances, and set up grievance redress procedures.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menon|first=Amarnath K.|title=RIP Kalaignar, a towering torchbearer|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20180820-a-towering-torchbearer-1309433-2018-08-10|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> Karunanidhi founded the [[Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board]] in September 1970 to build permanent houses for those living in slums.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Powered by 'basic' politics|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/aug/13/powered-by-basic-politics-1856858.html|access-date=12 December 2020|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> His government gave free eye surgeries for the blind from the 'Kannoli Thittam"<ref name="thenewsminute-12-December-2020">{{Cite web|date=7 August 2018|title=Self-respect weddings to transgender rights: Karunanidhi, a leader of minorities|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/self-respect-weddings-transgender-rights-karunanidhi-leader-minorities-86159|access-date=12 December 2020|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> In 1970, he proposed the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, which cut the maximum amount of land a family could possess to 15 standard acres, down from 30 acres under the previous Congress rule.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/m-karunanidhi-1924-2018-an-atheist-who-spoke-of-god-in-the-smile-of-the-poor-5296749/|title=M Karunanidhi (1924-2018): An atheist who spoke of God in the smile of the poor|date=8 August 2018}}</ref>

M Karunanidhi in 1970 issued an order that he said would "eliminate the thorn in the heart" of social reformer Periyar. The decree made it possible for people of all castes to become priests in public temples. However, the Supreme Court overturned this decision in 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/888558/tamil-nadu-has-appointed-its-first-non-brahmin-priest-finally-fulfilling-karunanidhis-2006-reform|title=Tamil Nadu has appointed its first non-Brahmin priest, finally fulfilling Karunanidhi's 2006 reform|first=Sruthisagar|last=Yamunan|website=Scroll.in}}</ref>

Karunanidhi launched the "Beggar rehabitation scheme" on his 48th birthday on 3 June 1971, and begged for funds for the scheme from shopkeepers near his residence, collecting Rs 3,000 and said "Begging is not an insult to the person doing the begging. But it is an insult to the country and society that made him a beggar."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/jul/30/beggars-rehabilitation-scheme-stalin-to-take-up-fathers-long-fought-cause-2337478.html|title=Beggars Rehabilitation Scheme: Stalin to take up father's long-fought cause?|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> Karunanidhi established the Government Servants' Family Benefit Fund Scheme to give financial compensation to an employee's relatives in the event that he loses his job owing to permanent complete disability, medical incapacity, or death.<ref name="BS-MK-policies">{{Cite news|last=Jauhri|first=Shivansh|date=7 August 2018|title=Five top socio-economic policies of late DMK leader M Karunanidhi|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/five-top-socio-economic-policies-of-late-dmk-leader-m-karunanidhi-118080701061_1.html|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> In 1971, his government increased reservation for BC from 25% to 31% and the reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) from 16% to 18%. Karunanidhi established a separate Ministry for the Welfare of the backward class, the first such in the country.<ref name="TheHindu-6000">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/over-6000-farmers-in-coimbatore-to-get-free-power-connection/article37144852.ece|title=Over 6,000 farmers in Coimbatore to get free power connection|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 October 2021|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> During 1973, women were first inducted into the police force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/politics/134171-tamilnadus-first-women-police-batch-pays-homage-to-karunanidhi|title='கருணாநிதியால் கிடைத்த அங்கீகாரம் இது!' - கண்ணீர் அஞ்சலி செலுத்திய பெண் காவலர்கள்|website=[[Ananda Vikatan]]}}</ref>

He resisted to let the Emergency's on Tamil Nadu for approximately seven months, until his administration was ousted on 31 January 1976. Karunanidhi was a supporter of Jayaparakash Narayan's anti-Emergency campaign and was the first one to ally with his [[Janata Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/an-island-of-democracy/article24703897.ece|title=An island of democracy|first=R. Vijaya|last=Sankar|website=Frontline|date=17 August 2018 }}</ref> During an event at Don Bosco School, Karunanidhi stated, "Most likely, this would be my final public function as Chief Minister." He was dismissed before he even got home form the function. This occurred just 50 days before his tenure ended. The DMK suffered a great deal of damage once it was dismissed. 25,000 members of the party including Karunanidhi's close relatives and friends were imprisoned. His maternal uncle [[Murasoli Maran]] and his son [[M. K. Stalin|M.K Stalin]] suffered health issues from torture and [[C. Chittibabu]] died trying to save M.K Stalin in prison.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Priyamvatha P. |date=3 May 2021 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/tamil-nadu-assembly-polls-2021/story/mk-stalin-s-perseverance-finally-pays-off-as-sun-and-son-rise-in-tamil-nadu-1798184-2021-05-03|title=MK Stalin's perseverance finally pays off as 'sun' and son rise in Tamil Nadu |magazine=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2018/11/11015810/1095146/How-Emergency-impacted-Madras.vpf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722082111/https://www.dtnext.in/News/City/2018/11/11015810/1095146/How-Emergency-impacted-Madras.vpf|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2021|title=How Emergency impacted Madras|date=11 November 2018|website=dtNext.in}}</ref>  He sent 200 rupees a month to their families of jailed DMK members through the party office.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/how-karunanidhi-outwitted-morarji-desai-cs-indira-gandhi/article24629313.ece|title=How Karunanidhi outwitted Morarji Desai, CS, Indira Gandhi|first=D. Suresh|last=Kumar|newspaper=The Hindu|date=8 August 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

On 29 October 1977, DMK supporters brandished black flags and yelled "Go back, Indira!" as she exited the [[Madras Airport|Madras airport]] for dissolving the DMK government in 1975. Indira Gandhi's vehicle was unable to pass through the black flag barrier in [[Madurai]]. Karunanidhi violated the police prohibition in Madras and led protests in [[Guindy]]. Karunanidhi and 28 other DMK leaders were detained the next day and were held in judicial custody.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/black-flag-dmks-brahmastra-that-never-missed-the-mark/articleshow/63790557.cms|title=Black flag: DMK's 'brahmastra' that never missed the mark &#124; Chennai News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="frontlineMilestones" />

Soon after AIADMK's election win in 1980, Congress abandoned its ally DMK and allied with AIADMK. The 1984 elections took place against the backdrop of Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi's assassination]]. In December 1984, contested as allies in both Lok Sabha and the State Assembly which conducted together and were carried to victory by the sympathy generated for Indira Gandhi and MGR who was undergoing a Kidney transplant in New york. After being voted to the legislative council in April 1984, Karunanidhi decided to skip the elections.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/apr/28/from-the-archives-when-mgr-sailed-on-sympathy-in1984-polls-2295720.html|title=From the archives: When MGR sailed on sympathy in 1984 polls|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dravidian-chronicles-1984-year-karunanidhi-skipped-election-42683|title=Dravidian Chronicles: 1984- The year Karunanidhi skipped an election|date=4 May 2016|website=The News Minute}}</ref> In 1986, the MLC was however abolished by the then Chief Minister, the late MG Ramachandran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/debate-over-reviving-tns-madras-legislative-council-hots-up/|title=Debate over reviving Tamil Nadu Legislative Council hots up|date=11 April 2021|website=The Federal}}</ref>

He enacted legislations which provided financial assistance to widows and inter-caste weddings.<ref name="news18+March-11-2019" /> In 1989, Karunanidhi passed a law giving equal rights to women in family properties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefederal.com/news/tn-did-30-years-ago-what-sc-ordered-on-aug-11-but-has-it-helped/|title=TN did 30 years ago what SC ordered on Aug 11. But has it helped?|first=Jayaseelan K.|last=S|date=13 August 2020|website=The Federal}}</ref> In 1989, Tamil Nadu became the first state to reserve 30% of government jobs for women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/madras-hc-upholds-30-quota-for-women/articleshow/4818348.cms|title=Madras HC upholds 30% quota for women &#124; India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> After announcing on 17 November 1990, that his government would give free power connection, he followed it up with a Government Order giving power connection to 12.40 lakh farmers.<ref name="TheHindu-6000" /> Women's self-help groups were first established in 1989 in [[Dharmapuri]] to integrate women and increase self-employment opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Veera|date=9 August 2018|title=கருணாநிதி அப்படி என்ன சாதனைகள் செய்தார் என்று கேட்பவரா நீங்கள்? அப்போ இது உங்களுக்குத்தான்|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/karunanidhi-top-achievements-327041.html|access-date=12 December 2020|website=OneIndia|language=ta}}</ref> In 1990, Karunanidhi separated reservation for [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST)]] which gave 1% separate quota for STs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-tamil-nadu-s-reservation-stands-69-despite-50-quota-cap-146116|title=How Tamil Nadu's reservation stands at 69% despite the 50% quota cap|date=29 March 2021|website=The News Minute}}</ref>

[[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi]] by the LTTE took place during the electoral campaign for the [[1991 Indian general election]]s. The DMK was accused in the incident, mobs vandalised the properties of DMK members and functionaries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2019/mar/08/amid-political-turmoil-jayalalithaa-becomes-tns-1st-woman-cm-in-1991-1948270.html|title=Amid political turmoil, Jayalalithaa becomes TN's first woman CM in 1991|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> The allies AIADMK and the Congress campaigned together and spread propaganda claiming that the DMK was to responsible for Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and it worked. The AIADMK-Congress coalition won a decisive win in the Assembly elections on 24 June 1991, and Jayalalithaa is elected Chief Minister for the first time. Except for Karunanidhi, all DMK candidates lost in the elections.<ref name="frontlineMilestones" />

In 1996–97, Karunanidhi introduced the free bus pass system, which exempted [[State school|government school]] and college students from paying for a ticket while giving private school and college students a 50% discount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-school-students-can-use-old-bus-passes-till-new-ones-are-distributed/articleshow/69621236.cms|title=Tamil Nadu school students can use old bus passes till new ones are distributed &#124; Chennai News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Karunanidhi devised the Uzhavar Sandhai plan in 1999, which aims to promote farmer-to-consumer communication and remove the middleman and helped farmers gain more remuneration.<ref name="BS-MK-policies" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/aug/15/10-years-on-new-lease-of-life-for-kalaignars-uzhavar-santhai-2344931.html|title=10 years on, new lease of life for Kalaignar's Uzhavar Santhai|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> He opened the [[Samathuvapuram]] (Equality Village) schemes in 145 places in Tamil Nadu in 1998 in order to forget and to eliminate caste-based segregation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 October 2019|title=Are Tamil Nadu's Samathuvapurams losing their sheen?|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/are-tamil-nadu-s-samathuvapurams-losing-their-sheen-111421|access-date=12 December 2020|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/samathuvapuram-an-ideal-thats-far-removed-from-reality/articleshow/87580299.cms|title=Samathuvapuram: An ideal that's far removed from reality &#124; Chennai News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> His administration was credited for accelerating the IT revolution, introducing mini-buses for connectivity. Karunanidhi renamed Madras to Chennai to reflect Tamil identity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/01/from-the-archives-1996-assembly-polls-brought-great-upset-for-aiadmk-2297077.html|title=From the archives: 1996 Assembly polls brought great upset for AIADMK|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> He introduced initiative which gives free education for the first graduate in a family up to their graduation. His decision to phase out hand-pulled rickshaws was enthusiastically applauded, and the rickshaw-pullers were given alternative work. He introduced the marriage assistance scheme for impoverished women.<ref name="Frontline-DDR">{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article24702996.ece|title=Deft double role|first=R. K.|last=Radhakrishnan|website=Frontline|date=17 August 2018 }}</ref> His government introduced legislation establishing 33% reservation for women in local government.<ref name="news18+March-11-2019" />

The DMK was thought to support the [[Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization]] (TELO). After the LTTE started a war against its fellow Tamil militant group TELO in May 1986, Karunanidhi was skeptical of the LTTE's strategy.<ref name="Frontline-A.S Paneerselvam">{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/books/karunanidhi-and-the-sri-lankan-tamil-issue-book-excerpt-karunanidhi-a-life-by-a-s-panneerselvan/article34117100.ece|title=Karunanidhi and the Sri Lankan Tamil Issue|first=A. S.|last=Panneerselvan|website=Frontline|date=21 March 2021 |ref=none }}</ref> Karunanidhi founded the [[Tamil Eelam Supporters Organization|Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation]] (TESO) and held a large national conference in Madurai in May 1986 to emphasize the Tamil aspiration for sovereignty in Sri Lanka, during which he urged the LTTE to cease murdering TELO cadre. The LTTE then proceeded to kill the majority of the TELO cadres. The infighting was criticized by Karunanidhi as Sagodhara Yudham' (A Battle Between Brothers). Since the AIADMK and MGR were prepared to support the LTTE as the only representation of Sri Lankan Tamils, his constant attempts to convey the necessity for an unified front to the LTTE were ignored.<ref name="Frontline-A.S Paneerselvam" /> Karunanidhi was a vocal opponent of the decision to send [[Indian Peace Keeping Force|Indian peace keeping forces]] (IPKF) to Sri Lanka as part of the [[Indo-Sri Lanka Accord|Indo-Sri Lankan Accord]], and he was accused of being anti-national for his outspoken criticism of the atrocities perpetrated by the IPKF.<ref name="TheHindu-SLTamil" /> He viewed the [[Expulsion of Muslims from the Northern province by LTTE|expulsion of Muslims from the North by the LTTE]] in 1990 as "ethnic cleansing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/newsdetail/index/14/20392/a-fresh-assessment-of-karunanidhi-sri-lanka-ltte-policy|title=A Fresh Assessment of Karunanidhi' Sri Lanka (LTTE) Policy|website=www.thecitizen.in}}</ref> His inaction against the LTTE in the state finally led to the Chandrasekhar government dismissing his cabinet in January 1991.<ref name="theweek-champion">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/07/28/Karunanidhi-A-blind-champion-of-Tamil-cause.html|title=Karunanidhi: A blind champion of the Lankan Tamil cause}}</ref> After the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by LTTE he was not friendly with the overt LTTE sympathizers in the state.<ref name="TheHindu-SLTamil" />

Karunanidhi on multiple occasions, expressed his admiration for [[Thiruvalluvar]]. The DMK administration built [[Valluvar Kottam]], a memorial in Chennai dedicated to Valluvar in the mid-1970s. However, the government was removed from power in 1976, just weeks before the memorial was to be opened. Karunanidhi awaited 13 years to visit the memorial, and when the DMK regained power in January 1989, he held the swearing-in ceremony there. Karunanidhi built the Silappadikaram Art Gallery in Poompuhar and a special department for Tamil development as Chief Minister. His administration passed an order making Tamil obligatory in all schools until Class 10th a few weeks after he became Chief Minister in May 2006. Karunanidhi, a supporter of the two-language formula, had stressed the need of retaining English as the sole additional language in educational institutions.<ref name="TheHindu-Tamillanguage">{{Cite news|last=Ramakrishnan|first=T.|date=7 August 2018|title=Karunanidhi: A die-hard proponent of Tamil language|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/karunanidhi-a-die-hard-proponent-of-tamil-language/article24548741.ece|access-date=30 December 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> After consulting with scholars, his government determined in 1972 that Thiruvalluvar was born in 31 BCE.<ref name="TH1" /> Karunanidhi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were vital in ensuring classical language status to Tamil in 2004.<ref name="DC-june-14-2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/140618/lively-debate-on-who-nurtured-tamil-language-contributed-to-tamil-pri.html|title=Lively debate on who nurtured Tamil language, contributed to Tamil pride|date=14 June 2018|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>

Two other movies written by Karunanidhi that contained such messages were [[Panam (film)|Panam]] (1952) directed by famous comedian and political activist [[N. S. Krishnan]] and Thangarathnam (1960) produced and acted by [[S. S. Rajendran]] another popular actor and DMK activist.<ref name="rethink" /> These movies contained themes such as widow remarriage, abolition of [[untouchability]], [[self-respect marriages]], abolition of [[zamindari]] and abolition of religious hypocrisy.<ref name="Hardgrave" /> Another memorable hit movie was [[Manohara (film)|Manohara (1954)]] starring Sivaji Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran and P. Kannamba known for its crisp dialogues.

On 28 July 2018, Karunanidhi's health deteriorated and became "extremely critical and unstable", and he was admitted at [[Kauvery Hospital]] in Chennai for treatment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45002229|title=Crowds amass for ailing Indian politician|date=30 July 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=8 August 2018}}</ref> He died there at 6:10&nbsp;p.m. on 7 August 2018 due to age-related illness, which led to multiple organ failure.<ref name="TOIdeath" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/m-karunanidhi-former-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-passes-away/article24624413.ece|title='Kalaignar' M. Karunanidhi, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief, passes away aged 94|newspaper =[[The Hindu]]|date=7 August 2018}}</ref>

On 18 August 2018, the DMK said that as many as 248 party workers died, 'shocked' by Karunanidhi's demise, and announced a solatium of Rs 200,000 to their families.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|date=28 August 2018|title=Shocked by the death of M Karunanidhi, 248 party workers died: DMK|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/shocked-by-the-death-of-m-karunanidhi-248-party-workers-died-dmk-118082800599_1.html|access-date=31 December 2021}}</ref>

* On 15 December 2006, the Governor of Tamil Nadu and the Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University, Surjit Singh Barnala conferred an honorary doctorate on the Chief Minister on the occasion of the 40th annual convocation.<ref>{{cite web | title=Honorary Dr: More the Merrier | website=The Economic Times | date=2008-12-13 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-editorial/honorary-dr-more-the-merrier/articleshow/3830806.cms}}</ref>

===Posts in legislature===

In September 2007, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) opposed [[Sethusamudram Canal]] project stating that it will demolish [[limestone]] shoals the party claimed to be remains of a bridge built by [[Rama]] to get to Lanka to save his wife [[Sita]]. He replied, "It is said that there was a God thousands of years ago called Ram. Do not touch the bridge built by him. I ask who is this Ram? Which engineering college did he graduate from?"<ref name="Sannith"/> [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leader [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]] accused Karunanidhi of religious discrimination when noting "We would like to know from Karunanidhi if he would make a similar statement against the head of any other religion."<ref name="Outlook-Eng">{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/will-karunanidhi-dare-to-ask-for-engineering-certificates-from-other-religions/505081|title=Will Karunanidhi dare to ask for engineering certificates from other religions?|website=www.outlookindia.com/}}</ref> CPM general secretary [[Prakash Karat]] came to his support and said "in this country, there are individuals with religious views and people like us. It is not wrong to voice an opinion".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cpm-backs-karunanidhi-on-ram-setu/articleshow/2390065.cms|title=CPM backs Karunanidhi on Ram Setu &#124; India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Later, Karunanidhi clarified his remarks by saying that "I'm not against Ram, my conscience is my God".<ref name="Sannith">{{cite web | last=Sannith | first=Jude | title=Not in the name of God: Why MK Stalin's atheism is par for the course | website=cnbctv18.com | date=2021-05-07 | url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/views/not-in-the-name-of-god-why-mk-stalins-atheism-is-par-for-the-course-9230411.htm}}</ref>

== Notes ==        

{{notelist}}