The Hindu : Intimidation won't serve the purpose, says Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 13, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Intimidation won't serve the purpose, says Karunanidhi

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI OCT. 12. The DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, today criticised the Government for warning agitating college teachers of pay cuts and use of ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) provisions against them. ``Such threats would not solve the issue and would only complicate it further''.

Talking to newsmen here, he said the Government should have invited the teachers for negotiations. Intimidating them with pay cuts and arrests would not serve the purpose.

Referring to the Chief Minister's justification that the anti-conversion law was already in existence in three States, Mr. Karunanidhi pointed out that this claim brought out the fact that there was no such law in the other States. So the Chief Minister should follow the majority states and withdraw the ordinance.

Meanwhile, the TNCC working president, E. V. K. S. Elangovan, and the Puthiya Tamizhagam president, K. Krishnasamy, have warned of agitations if the Government does not withdraw the ordinance.

Mr.Elangovan said the ordinance was against the minorities and an attempt at suppressing Dalits.

Like the Prevention of Terrorism Act, it would be misused against these people.

Questioning the justification by the Chief Minister, he said that in Madhya Pradesh the law was passed long ago when some vested interests indulged in mass conversion of tribals. Now the law was no longer in force.

If the Tamil Nadu Government did not withdraw the ordinance immediately, it would have to face consequences both legally and politically.

Dr. Krishnasamy said the party planned to convene a conference of like-minded parties in Chennai for November 10 and the next course of action would be finalised.

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