Karnataka

Karunanidhi had an active role in defusing the Uthapuram crisis

CHENNAI: Looking back at the pulling down of the wall in Uthapuram that separated two communities, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi recounted to The Hindu that this was done at considerable risk, and that it took a lot of his energy and time to defuse the crisis.

The wall dividing communities was unacceptable, he said and explained how he played a hands-on role in defusing the crisis.

He goaded district officials, including the Collector, who advised against “creating an issue,” and monitored the situation closely on a daily basis to ensure that trouble makers were kept under check.

At the end of a series of discussions and meetings that he had with officials during those exceedingly tense days, it was decided that “for protection you can retain a portion of the wall.”

At the same time, a portion had to come down to give enough space for a passage.

“There are walls even in a house. But we do not build the house with walls alone. There are doors,” he said and added that he used this rationale while addressing the issue of pulling down the wall.

He was certain that this appeal would not go unheeded.

“You have to understand that the people living there think in certain set ways. But even then, when this concept was explained, the women were more receptive than the men. Can you believe it?” he asked. The concept did not find many takers among men. Mr. Karunanidhi said this was despite genuine demands of the caste-Hindus being conceded.

“They wanted pattas. We were willing to give it and we did give. Then, they asked us to give the patta for the local temple to them. This was not acceptable.” This demand had not been made originally. It was only because of anti-social elements that had landed there that it was made.

Mr. Karunanidhi accused outsiders owing allegiance to the main Opposition party, the AIADMK, of trying to disturb the fragile peace in Uthapuram.

“There were people from outside there. What were they doing there apart from trying to poison the minds of the people?”

Because one of their demands was not conceded, the caste Hindus left the village. “They all went up the hill and this created a lot of panic among officials and those in-charge there. But, I told them not to panic. I told them not to go there for a couple of days,” he said. Given the pattern in which events had unfolded in the village, he was confident that the caste Hindus would realise that the government did not mean to hurt them in any manner.

“Today they are all back,” he said, and congratulated the people of the village for having decided to come back to live in harmony. He appealed to all political parties to help maintain peace in the area.

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