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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{short description|Indian politician (born 1966)}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| image =File:The Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Dayanidhi Maran addressing an Interactive Session of CII, in Mumbai on February 16, 2010.jpg
| image               = Dayanidhi Maran.jpg
| name = Dayanidhi Maran
| name               = Dayanidhi Maran
| caption = Union Minister of Textiles  Dayanidhi Maran addressing an Interactive Session of CII, in Mumbai in 2010
| caption             =  
| birth_date ={{Birth date and age|1966|12|5|df=y}}
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1966|12|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Kumbakonam]], [[Thanjavur district]] , [[Madras State]] (now [[Tamil Nadu]] [[India]])
| birth_place         = [[Kumbakonam]], [[Madras State]], India<br> (now in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| death_date =
| death_date         =  
| death_place =
| death_place         =  
| term_start2= 23 May 2019
| office              = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_end2=  
| term_start          = 23 May 2019
| term_start3= June 2004
| term_end            =  
| term_end3= May 2014
| predecessor        = [[S. R. Vijayakumar]]
| parliament2      = Indian
| term_start1        = 16 May 2004
| constituency_MP2 = [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
| term_end1          = 16 May 2014
| predecessor3 = [[Murasoli Maran]]
| constituency        = [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
| successor3 = S. R. Vijayakumar
| predecessor1        = [[Murasoli Maran]]
| office = [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
| successor1          = [[S. R. Vijayakumar]]
| term_start = 22 May 2004
| constituency1      = [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
| term_end = 16 May 2007
| office2            = [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]]
| predecessor = [[Arun Shourie]]
| term_start2        = 22 May 2004
| successor = [[A. Raja]]
| term_end2          = 16 May 2007
| primeminister= [[Manmohan Singh]]
| predecessor2        = [[Arun Shourie]]
| party =[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]  
| successor2          = [[A. Raja]]
| spouse = Priya Maran
| primeminister2      = [[Manmohan Singh]]
| children = Karan Maran, Divya Maran
| office3            = [[Ministry of Textiles (India)|Minister of Textiles]]
| alma_mater = [[Loyola College, Chennai]]
| term_start3        = 28 May 2009
| website =www.dmaran.in
| term_end3          = 12 July 2011
| footnotes =  
| predecessor3        = [[Shankersinh Vaghela]]
| date = 22 September |
| successor3          = [[Anand Sharma]]
| year = 2006 |
| primeminister3      = Manmohan Singh
| source = http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4144
| party               = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| spouse             = Priya Maran
| children           = 2
| alma_mater         = [[Loyola College, Chennai]]
| website             = www.dmaran.in
| footnotes           =  
| date               = 22 September|
| year               = 2006|
| source             = https://loksabha.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4144&lastls=17
}}
}}


'''Dayanidhi Murasoli Maran''' (born 5 December 1966) is an Indian politician and one of the prominent members of [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] party. He was elected thrice as a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] to [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central constituency]] during the 2004 general elections, 2009 general elections & 2019 general elections.
'''Dayanidhi Murasoli Maran''' (born 5 December 1966) is an Indian politician and one of the prominent members of [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] party. He was elected four times as a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] to [[Lok Sabha]] from [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central constituency]] during the 2004 general elections, 2009 general elections, 2019 general elections and 2024 elections.


He is the son of former Union Minister [[Murasoli Maran]] and the [[Cousin chart|grandnephew]] of former [[Tamil Nadu Chief Minister]] and former DMK president [[M. Karunanidhi]]. He is the younger brother of Indian billionaire [[Kalanithi Maran]], the founder, chairman and of [[Sun Group]]. He is married to Priya, and has a daughter and a son.
He is the son of former Union Minister [[Murasoli Maran]] and the [[Cousin chart|grandnephew]] of former [[Tamil Nadu Chief Minister]] and former DMK president [[M. Karunanidhi]]. He is the younger brother of Indian billionaire [[Kalanithi Maran]], the founder, chairman of [[Sun Group]] and of Sun Risers Hyderabad. He is married to Priya, and has a daughter and a son.


Maran has wide exposure in the fields of media, television, cable technology, political economy and management and has been a delegate at many international seminars and conferences in various countries.
Maran has wide exposure in the fields of media, television, cable technology, political economy and management and has been a delegate at many international seminars and conferences in various countries.


==Early life==
==Early life==
[[File:Karunanithi family.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Karunanidhi family tree]]
Dayanidhi Maran is the second son of ex-minister [[Murasoli Maran]], who was the Commerce and Industrial minister of India. He is also the [[Cousin chart|grandnephew]] of DMK president and ex-chief minister of Tamil Nadu [[M. Karunanidhi]]. He is the younger brother of [[Kalanidhi Maran]], the founder and managing director of [[Sun Network]].
Dayanidhi is the second son of ex-minister [[Murasoli Maran]], who had been the Commerce and Industrial minister. He is also the [[Cousin chart|grandnephew]] of DMK president and ex-chief minister of Tamil Nadu [[M Karunanidhi]]. He is the younger brother of [[Kalanidhi Maran]], the founder and managing director of [[Sun Network]]. He had his schooling with [[Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School|Don Bosco, Egmore]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/don-bosco-alumni-regale-students-with-school-tales/articleshow/5428971.cms | title=Don Bosco alumni regale students with school tales | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=10 January 2010 | access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2010/jan/10/bosco-boys-keep-a-date-with-nostalgia-159374.html | title=Bosco boys keep a date with nostalgia | publisher=The New Indian Express | date=10 January 2010 | access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref> Chennai. He received initial education in Tamil Nadu and graduated in Economics from [[Loyola College, Chennai|Loyola College]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2010/aug/28/loyola-world-alumni-congress-begins-on-saturday-181799.html | title=Loyola World Alumni Congress begins on Saturday | publisher=The New Indian Express | date=28 August 2010 | access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref> in Chennai. He also attended the "Owner /President Management Programme" (OPM) from [[Harvard Business School]] (USA).<ref name="PMO">{{cite web|url=http://dmaran.nic.in/profile.htm |title=Dayanidhi Maran profile |date=13 May 2007 |publisher=National Informatics Centre |access-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725034537/http://dmaran.nic.in/profile.htm |archive-date=25 July 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> The Owner/President Management Programme is meant for business owners/founders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Owner/President Management - Leadership - Programs - Executive Education - Harvard Business School|url=https://www.exed.hbs.edu/owner-president-management/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=HBS Executive Education}}</ref>
 
Dayanidhi is married to Priya of "The Hindu" family. Priya is the daughter of Ramesh Rangarajan, Director Kasturi & Sons<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-06-13|title=The Marans: Dravida family's Brahmin side|url=https://currentnews.in/dravida-familys-brahmin-side/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=CurrentNews|language=en-US}}</ref> and the pair have a daughter named Divya and a son named Karan.
Maran studied at [[Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School|Don Bosco School, Egmore]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/don-bosco-alumni-regale-students-with-school-tales/articleshow/5428971.cms | title=Don Bosco alumni regale students with school tales | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=10 January 2010 | access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2010/jan/10/bosco-boys-keep-a-date-with-nostalgia-159374.html | title=Bosco boys keep a date with nostalgia | publisher=The New Indian Express | date=10 January 2010 | access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref> He then graduated in economics from [[Loyola College, Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2010/aug/28/loyola-world-alumni-congress-begins-on-saturday-181799.html | title=Loyola World Alumni Congress begins on Saturday | publisher=The New Indian Express | date=28 August 2010 | access-date=14 March 2021}}</ref> He also attended the "Owner/President Management Programme" (OPM) from [[Harvard Business School]] (USA).<ref name="PMO">{{cite web|url=http://dmaran.nic.in/profile.htm |title=Dayanidhi Maran profile |date=13 May 2007 |publisher=National Informatics Centre |access-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725034537/http://dmaran.nic.in/profile.htm |archive-date=25 July 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> The Owner/President Management Programme is meant for business owners/founders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Owner/President Management - Leadership - Programs - Executive Education - Harvard Business School|url=https://www.exed.hbs.edu/owner-president-management/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=HBS Executive Education}}</ref>
 
Maran is married to Priya of "The Hindu" family. Priya is the daughter of Ramesh Rangarajan, Director of Kasturi & Sons,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-06-13|title=The Marans: Dravida family's Brahmin side|url=https://currentnews.in/dravida-familys-brahmin-side/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=CurrentNews|language=en-US}}</ref> and the pair have a daughter and a son.
 
==Positions held==
{| class="wikitable"
! Period
! Position
|-
| 14 Aug. 2024 onwards
| Member of the Committee on Estimates
|-
| 18 Jul. 2024 onwards
| Member, Business Advisory Committee
|-
| June 2024
| Elected to [[18th Lok Sabha]]
|-
| June 2024 onwards
| Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Corporate Affairs
|-
| 13 Sept. 2019 onwards
| Member, Standing Committee on Home Affairs
|-
| 24 Jul. 2019 onwards
| Member, Committee on Estimates
|-
| May 2019
| Re-elected to [[17th Lok Sabha]] (3rd term)
|-
| 31 May 2009 – 19 Jul. 2011
| [[Ministry of Textiles|Union Cabinet Minister, Textiles]]
|-
| 2009
| Re-elected to [[15th Lok Sabha]] (2nd term)
|-
| May 2004 – 13 May 2007
| [[Minister of Communications (India)|Union Cabinet Minister, Communications and Information Technology]]
|-
| 2004
| Elected to [[14th Lok Sabha]]
|}


==Tenure as an MP and Union minister==
==Tenure as an MP and Union minister==
[[File:Shri Dayanidhi Maran assumes the charge of Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology in New Delhi on May 26, 2004.jpg|thumb|Dayanidhi Maran assumes the charge of Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology in New Delhi on May 26, 2004|left]]
[[File:Shri Dayanidhi Maran assumes the charge of Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology in New Delhi on May 26, 2004.jpg|thumb|Dayanidhi Maran assumes the charge of Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology in New Delhi on 26 May 2004|left]]


He contested from Central Chennai Constituency in Tamil Nadu as a [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] party candidate and been elected thrice during the 2004, 2009 & 2019 elections as member of parliament.
He contested from Central Chennai Constituency in Tamil Nadu as a [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] party candidate and been elected thrice during the 2004, 2009 and 2019 elections as member of parliament.


During the 2004 elections, his winning margin was over {{formatnum:134000}} votes and he received 62% of the total votes polled.<ref name="PMO" /> He was appointed Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology on 26 May 2004. During his tenure as IT and Telecommunication Minister the call rates of mobiles and landlines were drastically reduced which in-turn influenced the growth of subscriptions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/why-india-inc-finds-hard-to-wish-maran-goodbye/40600-7.html?xml | title=Why India Inc loves Dayanidhi? | date=13 May 2007 | work=Ibn Live|access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref> During the tenure, he was instrumental in garnering a large amount of Foreign Direct Investments into Communication and Information Technology Sector. Many multinational telecom companies including [[Nokia]], [[Motorola]], [[Ericsson]], [[Flextronics]] and [[Dell]] set up units in the country. His ministry introduced "One Rupee One India" plan across the country, which enabled calls across the country at a rate of 1 {{INR}} per minute. His ministry set and achieved a target of 250 million connections in Dec 2007 to December 2010, against 75 million in May 2004.<ref name="NIC">{{cite web|title=Detailed Profile: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4144|publisher=National Informatics Centre|year=2005|access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref><ref>[[#Hiscock|Hiscock]] 2007, p. 78</ref><ref name="V265">[[#Vaasanthi|Vaasanthi]], pp. 265–6</ref>
During the 2004 elections, his winning margin was over {{formatnum:134000}} votes and he received 62% of the total votes polled.<ref name="PMO" /> He was appointed Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology on 26 May 2004. During his tenure as IT and Telecommunication Minister the call rates of mobiles and landlines were drastically reduced which in-turn influenced the growth of subscriptions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/why-india-inc-finds-hard-to-wish-maran-goodbye/40600-7.html?xml | title=Why India Inc loves Dayanidhi? | date=13 May 2007 | work=Ibn Live|access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref> During the tenure, he was instrumental in garnering a large amount of Foreign Direct Investments into Communication and Information Technology Sector. Many multinational telecom companies including [[Nokia]], [[Motorola]], [[Ericsson]], [[Flextronics]] and [[Dell]] set up units in the country. His ministry introduced "One Rupee One India" plan across the country, which enabled calls across the country at a rate of 1 {{INR}} per minute. His ministry set and achieved a target of 250 million connections in December 2007 to December 2010, against 75 million in May 2004.<ref name="NIC">{{cite web|title=Detailed Profile: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/loksabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=4144|publisher=National Informatics Centre|year=2005|access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref><ref>[[#Hiscock|Hiscock]] 2007, p. 78</ref><ref name="V265">[[#Vaasanthi|Vaasanthi]], pp. 265–6</ref>


During the 2009 elections he won by a margin of 33,454 votes and he received 46.82% of the total votes polled. He was appointed Union Minister for Textiles, and was instrumental in shielding and steering the Indian Textile Industry to safe waters during the Global recession. His policies and initiatives helped boost exports and gave a fresh breath of air to a legacy industry distraught with demand & supply woes. He initiated several infrastructural and developmental programmes to build skill and upgrade technology for the textile industry and helped take Indian products to unexplored foreign markets in East & South Asia with his "Look East" policy. He also ensured that several thousands of rural & marginalised artisans & weavers got access to better healthcare and insurance facilities and ensured that the ministry promoted research and development in all segments of the industry including handlooms and handicrafts and created a common technology platform on commercial basis to support adaptation of newer technology for value addition and product diversification. He expanded the coverage of Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, Expanded Scheme of Integrated Textile Parks and constituted work groups for national fiber policy. He created a platform for E-Marketing of handloom and handicrafts and accelerated the revival and modernisation of National Textile Corporation mills. He upgraded the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel institute of textile management into an Indian School of textile management and business. This provided for more quality human resources in the form of research, industrial engineers, product development managers and trainers.{{cn|date=December 2020}}
During the 2009 elections he won by a margin of 33,454 votes and he received 46.82% of the total votes polled.


During the [http://results.eci.gov.in/pc/en/constituencywise/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4 2019 Lok Sabha Elections], he once again contested from the Chennai Central Parliamentary Constituency, winning it for the 3rd time, polling a stunning 4,48,911 votes and defeated the other contestants with a record-breaking victory margin of 3,01,520 votes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.eci.gov.in/pc/en/constituencywise/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4|title=Results of Chennai Central PC in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections}}</ref>
During the [http://results.eci.gov.in/pc/en/constituencywise/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4 2019 Lok Sabha Elections], he once again contested from the Chennai Central Parliamentary Constituency, winning it for the 3rd time, polling a stunning 4,48,911 votes and defeated the other contestants with a record-breaking victory margin of 3,01,520 votes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.eci.gov.in/pc/en/constituencywise/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4|title=Results of Chennai Central PC in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections}}</ref>


===Elections contested===
== Elections contested ==
 
{| class="sortable wikitable"
{|class="sortable wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Constituency
! rowspan="2" |Party
! rowspan="2" |Result
! rowspan="2" |Vote %
! colspan="3" |Opposition
|-
! width="150" |Candidate
! width="70" |Party
! width="70" |Vote %
|-
|[[2004 Indian general election|2004]]
|[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
|{{Won}}
|61.68
|N. Balaganga
|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]
|35.52 <ref name="LS2004">{{cite web |title=Statistical report on General elections, 2004 to the 14th Lok Sabha |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_2004/Vol_I_LS_2004.pdf |access-date=10 November 2013 |publisher=Election Commission of India |page=281}}</ref>
|-
|[[2009 Indian general election|2009]]
|[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
|{{Won}}
|46.82
|S.M.K. Mohamad Ali Jinnah
|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]
|41.34 <ref name="LS2009">{{cite web |title=Statistical report on General elections, 2009 to the 14th Lok Sabha |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2009/Stats/VOLI/25_ConstituencyWiseDetailedResult.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811090059/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2009/Stats/VOLI/25_ConstituencyWiseDetailedResult.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2014 |access-date=10 November 2013 |publisher=Election Commission of India |page=124 |df=dmy}}</ref>
|-
|-
!width=50|Year
|[[2014 Indian general election|2014]]
!width=100|Constituency
|[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
!width=70|Result
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
!width=70|Vote percentage
|{{Lost}}
!width=150|Opposition Candidate
|36.4
!width=70|Opposition Party
|S. R. Vijayakumar
!width=70|Opposition vote percentage
|[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]
|- style="background:#cfc;"
|42.21 <ref name="LS2014">{{cite web |year=2014 |title=Statistical report on General elections, 2014 to the 16th Lok Sabha |url=http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529172314/http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4 |archive-date=29 May 2014 |access-date=31 May 2014 |publisher=Election Commission of India |df=dmy}}</ref>
|bgcolor=98FB98|[[2004 Indian general election|2004]]||[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]] ||Won|| 61.68||N. Balaganga||[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]||35.52<ref name="LS2004">{{cite web|title=Statistical report on General elections, 2004 to the 14th Lok Sabha|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_2004/Vol_I_LS_2004.pdf|page=281|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ffc;"
|bgcolor=98FB98|[[2009 Indian general election|2009]]||[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]] ||Won|| 46.82||S.M.K. Mohamad Ali Jinnah||[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]||41.34<ref name="LS2009">{{cite web|title=Statistical report on General elections, 2009 to the 14th Lok Sabha |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2009/Stats/VOLI/25_ConstituencyWiseDetailedResult.pdf |page=124 |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811090059/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/archiveofge2009/Stats/VOLI/25_ConstituencyWiseDetailedResult.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
|bgcolor=FFA07A|[[2014 Indian general election|2014]]||[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]] ||Lost|| 36.4||S. R. Vijayakumar||[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]||42.21<ref name="LS2014">{{cite web|title=Statistical report on General elections, 2014 to the 16th Lok Sabha |url=http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4 |year=2014 |publisher=Election Commission of India |access-date=31 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529172314/http://eciresults.nic.in/ConstituencywiseS224.htm?ac=4 |archive-date=29 May 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
|[[2019 Indian general election|2019]]
|[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
|[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
|Won
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
|{{Won}}
|57.15
|57.15
|S. R. Sam paul
|S. R. Sam paul
|PMK
|PMK
|18.77
|18.77
|-
|[[2024 Indian general election|2024]]
|[[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
|[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
|{{Won}}
|56.56
|Vinoj
|BJP
|23.12
|}
|}
[[File:Karunanithi family.jpg|thumb|350px|Karunanidhi family tree]]
== Controversies ==
=== Remarks on North Indian migrant workers ===
In December 2023, a video of Maran from a previous event went viral in which he compared the employment prospects of individuals who learn English with those who study only Hindi.<ref name="HT2023">{{cite news |last1=Dutta |first1=Anshuman |title=DMK's Dayanidhi Maran says Hindi speakers from UP, Bihar clean toilets in Tamil Nadu; BJP asks Nitish what he thinks |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=24 December 2023 |access-date=17 February 2026}}</ref> Maran stated that while youth in [[Tamil Nadu]] learn English and secure high-paying jobs in the IT sector, individuals from northern states like [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]] who "only learn Hindi" migrate to Tamil Nadu to work in construction or perform "menial" tasks, such as cleaning roads and toilets.<ref name="TOI2023">{{cite news |title=Dayanidhi Maran's 'toilet cleaner' remark sparks row; BJP, INDIA bloc leaders condemn DMK MP's statement |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=24 December 2023 |access-date=17 February 2026}}</ref>
The remarks were widely condemned across the political spectrum. The [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) accused Maran of attempting to create a "North-South divide" and insulting the dignity of workers from northern India.<ref name="HT2023" /> Leaders from the [[INDIA (alliance)|INDIA bloc]], including [[Tejashwi Yadav]], also criticised the statement, calling it "condemnable" and noting that it did not reflect the values of social justice.<ref name="NDTV2023">{{cite news |title="Condemnable": Tejashwi Yadav On DMK Leader's 'Toilet Cleaner' Remark |url=https://www.ndtv.com |work=[[NDTV]] |date=24 December 2023 |access-date=17 February 2026}}</ref> The [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) defended the context of his speech, stating that Maran's intention was to highlight the economic benefits of the state's two-language policy.<ref name="TOI2023" />


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 98: Line 187:
*[http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=VU2DMK QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database – VU2DMK]
*[http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=VU2DMK QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database – VU2DMK]
*[http://www.niar.org National Institute of Amateur Radio]
*[http://www.niar.org National Institute of Amateur Radio]
*[http://loksabhaph.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4144 Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]
*[https://loksabha.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4144&lastls=17 Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]


{{Ministry of Communications (India)}}
{{Ministry of Communications (India)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maran, Dayanidhi}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maran, Dayanidhi}}
[[Category:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:14th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 2004–2009]]
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Latest revision as of 14:50, 26 March 2026


Dayanidhi Maran
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Assumed office
23 May 2019
Preceded byS. R. Vijayakumar
ConstituencyChennai Central
In office
16 May 2004 – 16 May 2014
Preceded byMurasoli Maran
Succeeded byS. R. Vijayakumar
ConstituencyChennai Central
Minister of Communications and Information Technology
In office
22 May 2004 – 16 May 2007
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byArun Shourie
Succeeded byA. Raja
Minister of Textiles
In office
28 May 2009 – 12 July 2011
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byShankersinh Vaghela
Succeeded byAnand Sharma
Personal details
Born (1966-12-05) 5 December 1966 (age 59)
Kumbakonam, Madras State, India
(now in Tamil Nadu, India)
Political partyDravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Spouse(s)Priya Maran
Children2
Alma materLoyola College, Chennai
Websitewww.dmaran.in
As of 22 September, 2006
Source: [1]

Dayanidhi Murasoli Maran (born 5 December 1966) is an Indian politician and one of the prominent members of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party. He was elected four times as a Member of Parliament to Lok Sabha from Chennai Central constituency during the 2004 general elections, 2009 general elections, 2019 general elections and 2024 elections.

He is the son of former Union Minister Murasoli Maran and the grandnephew of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and former DMK president M. Karunanidhi. He is the younger brother of Indian billionaire Kalanithi Maran, the founder, chairman of Sun Group and of Sun Risers Hyderabad. He is married to Priya, and has a daughter and a son.

Maran has wide exposure in the fields of media, television, cable technology, political economy and management and has been a delegate at many international seminars and conferences in various countries.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Dayanidhi Maran is the second son of ex-minister Murasoli Maran, who was the Commerce and Industrial minister of India. He is also the grandnephew of DMK president and ex-chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi. He is the younger brother of Kalanidhi Maran, the founder and managing director of Sun Network.

Maran studied at Don Bosco School, Egmore.[1][2] He then graduated in economics from Loyola College, Chennai.[3] He also attended the "Owner/President Management Programme" (OPM) from Harvard Business School (USA).[4] The Owner/President Management Programme is meant for business owners/founders.[5]

Maran is married to Priya of "The Hindu" family. Priya is the daughter of Ramesh Rangarajan, Director of Kasturi & Sons,[6] and the pair have a daughter and a son.

Positions held[edit | edit source]

Period Position
14 Aug. 2024 onwards Member of the Committee on Estimates
18 Jul. 2024 onwards Member, Business Advisory Committee
June 2024 Elected to 18th Lok Sabha
June 2024 onwards Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Corporate Affairs
13 Sept. 2019 onwards Member, Standing Committee on Home Affairs
24 Jul. 2019 onwards Member, Committee on Estimates
May 2019 Re-elected to 17th Lok Sabha (3rd term)
31 May 2009 – 19 Jul. 2011 Union Cabinet Minister, Textiles
2009 Re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (2nd term)
May 2004 – 13 May 2007 Union Cabinet Minister, Communications and Information Technology
2004 Elected to 14th Lok Sabha

Tenure as an MP and Union minister[edit | edit source]

Dayanidhi Maran assumes the charge of Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology in New Delhi on 26 May 2004

He contested from Central Chennai Constituency in Tamil Nadu as a DMK party candidate and been elected thrice during the 2004, 2009 and 2019 elections as member of parliament.

During the 2004 elections, his winning margin was over 134,000 votes and he received 62% of the total votes polled.[4] He was appointed Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology on 26 May 2004. During his tenure as IT and Telecommunication Minister the call rates of mobiles and landlines were drastically reduced which in-turn influenced the growth of subscriptions.[7] During the tenure, he was instrumental in garnering a large amount of Foreign Direct Investments into Communication and Information Technology Sector. Many multinational telecom companies including Nokia, Motorola, Ericsson, Flextronics and Dell set up units in the country. His ministry introduced "One Rupee One India" plan across the country, which enabled calls across the country at a rate of 1 ₹ per minute. His ministry set and achieved a target of 250 million connections in December 2007 to December 2010, against 75 million in May 2004.[8][9][10]

During the 2009 elections he won by a margin of 33,454 votes and he received 46.82% of the total votes polled.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, he once again contested from the Chennai Central Parliamentary Constituency, winning it for the 3rd time, polling a stunning 4,48,911 votes and defeated the other contestants with a record-breaking victory margin of 3,01,520 votes.[11]

Elections contested[edit | edit source]

Year Constituency Party Result Vote % Opposition
Candidate Party Vote %
2004 Chennai Central DMK Won 61.68 N. Balaganga AIADMK 35.52 [12]
2009 Chennai Central DMK Won 46.82 S.M.K. Mohamad Ali Jinnah AIADMK 41.34 [13]
2014 Chennai Central DMK Lost 36.4 S. R. Vijayakumar AIADMK 42.21 [14]
2019 Chennai Central DMK Won 57.15 S. R. Sam paul PMK 18.77
2024 Chennai Central DMK Won 56.56 Vinoj BJP 23.12
Karunanidhi family tree

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Remarks on North Indian migrant workers[edit | edit source]

In December 2023, a video of Maran from a previous event went viral in which he compared the employment prospects of individuals who learn English with those who study only Hindi.[15] Maran stated that while youth in Tamil Nadu learn English and secure high-paying jobs in the IT sector, individuals from northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar who "only learn Hindi" migrate to Tamil Nadu to work in construction or perform "menial" tasks, such as cleaning roads and toilets.[16]

The remarks were widely condemned across the political spectrum. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Maran of attempting to create a "North-South divide" and insulting the dignity of workers from northern India.[15] Leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Tejashwi Yadav, also criticised the statement, calling it "condemnable" and noting that it did not reflect the values of social justice.[17] The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) defended the context of his speech, stating that Maran's intention was to highlight the economic benefits of the state's two-language policy.[16]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Don Bosco alumni regale students with school tales". The Times of India. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "Bosco boys keep a date with nostalgia". The New Indian Express. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  3. ↑ "Loyola World Alumni Congress begins on Saturday". The New Indian Express. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Dayanidhi Maran profile". National Informatics Centre. 13 May 2007. Archived from the original on 25 July 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Owner/President Management - Leadership - Programs - Executive Education - Harvard Business School". HBS Executive Education. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "The Marans: Dravida family's Brahmin side". CurrentNews. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Why India Inc loves Dayanidhi?". Ibn Live. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  8. ↑ "Detailed Profile: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran". National Informatics Centre. 2005. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Hiscock 2007, p. 78
  10. ↑ Vaasanthi, pp. 265–6
  11. ↑ "Results of Chennai Central PC in 2019 Lok Sabha Elections".
  12. ↑ "Statistical report on General elections, 2004 to the 14th Lok Sabha" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 281. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  13. ↑ "Statistical report on General elections, 2009 to the 14th Lok Sabha" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 124. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  14. ↑ "Statistical report on General elections, 2014 to the 16th Lok Sabha". Election Commission of India. 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Dutta, Anshuman (24 December 2023). "DMK's Dayanidhi Maran says Hindi speakers from UP, Bihar clean toilets in Tamil Nadu; BJP asks Nitish what he thinks". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Dayanidhi Maran's 'toilet cleaner' remark sparks row; BJP, INDIA bloc leaders condemn DMK MP's statement". The Times of India. 24 December 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  17. ↑ ""Condemnable": Tejashwi Yadav On DMK Leader's 'Toilet Cleaner' Remark". NDTV. 24 December 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2026.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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