Chennai: DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday said he penned dialogues for teleserial on Vaishnavite saint and social reformer Ramanuja only to propagate progressive ideals. Addressing a rally organised to celebrate his 92nd birthday in the city, he said many eyebrows were raised when news of his writing dialogues for a teleserial on Ramanuja surfaced. He wanted to recall history for those who raised some doubts, he said.
“I did not dig up the Ramanuja story to write a film,” he said, noting that it was his mentor Bharathidasan who first wrote lyrics for a film on Ramanuja. He said Ramanuja propagated that in God’s creation, all are equal. Mr Karunandihi called upon youths to strive for a society without discrimination based on creed and caste. “Every youth should take an oath to strive for a society without discrimination based on creed and caste. Youths should shed their selfishness to enter political life,” he said. Party treasurer M.K. Stalin urged party cadres to strive hard to fulfil Mr Karunanidhi’s wish to defeat the ruling AIA DMK in the ensuing election.
Earlier, the five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu paid floral tributes at the memorials of DMK founder leader C.N. Annadurai and rationalist leader E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) here on the occasion.
Later, he arrived at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, and met DMK workers who lined up in good numbers to greet him. They showered him with gifts, including shawls, and raised slogans hailing him.
Various party wings distributed sweets and organised blood donation camps. Welfare assistance like books for indigent students were also distributed.Senior party leaders, including Mr Stalin, Mr T.R. Baalu, Mr A. Raja, Mr Duraimurugan, Mr Arcot Veerasamy, Mr E.V. Velu were among those who called on Mr Karunanidhi and greeted him. BJP leader and minister of state Pon Radhakrishnan, BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan, PMK chief Ramadoss, CPI(M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan and actor Rajinikanth greeted Mr Karunanidhi.
