Indian politician Muthuvel Karunanidhi dies aged 94

World
Europe

Muthuvel Karunanidhi, five-time chief minister of India’s Tamil Nadu state and one of the dominant figures in the politics of southern India for half a century, died on Tuesday at the age of 94.

An outspoken atheist in a country where politicians often trumpet their piety, Karunanidhi built his political machine as a crusader for social justice, with policies aimed at helping those at the bottom of India’s rigid Hindu caste hierarchy.

Karunanidhi was chief minister of Tamil Nadu five times and successfully contested 12 state elections, building legions of supporters on the way.

Supporters mourn outside the hospital after the demise of Indian Tamil leader M. Karunanidhi, in Chennai, India, August 7, 2018. /VCG Photo

Thousands of his supporters were gathered outside the hospital in state capital Chennai to mourn his demise, as scores of policemen kept watch. Roads outside the hospital and at Karunanidhi’s residence were packed with people who chanted slogans and demanded a prime beach-side burial site in Chennai for the late leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted condolences to Karunanidhi's family, saying "India and particularly Tamil Nadu will miss him immensely."

“His understanding of policy and emphasis on social welfare stood out,” Modi said.

"He was one of the senior most leaders of India. We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalized," he added.

M. Karunanidhi, chief minister of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, speaks during a meeting in Chennai, India, March 8, 2011. /VCG Photo

Karunanidhi, who always appeared in public with dark glasses and a yellow shawl draped on the shoulder, built his career fighting oppression by Brahmins, a priestly community at the top of the Hindu caste system.

He criticized organized religion and superstition and was known for his sharp wit, command over the Tamil language and populist schemes for those at the bottom of society.

Supporters on Twitter reminisced about how his scheme to offer free education to first-generation graduates had helped them.

He was known for drawing foreign investors to India’s second largest state economy, and oversaw the state becoming an industrial powerhouse, credited with opening many industrial and technology parks.

Affectionately called "Kalaignar" or scholar, he also wrote reams of poems, lyrics and books and was a prolific screenwriter for the Tamil film industry.

(Top image: Supporters gather as an ambulance carrying the remains of Indian Tamil leader M. Karunanidhi leaves the hospital in Chennai, August 7, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters