Following the issue surrounding Modern Theatres Salem bursting out in social media, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai, hit out at Chief Minister MK Stalin for vying for land that does not belong to him by trying to erect his father’s statue.
Taking to social media platform X, Annamalai shared a press release condemning this action.
He wrote, “Salem Modern Theatre is a famous film production company in Tamil Nadu. Late former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu Amarar MGR, Karunanidhi, Mrs. Janaki Ammal, Ms. Jayalalithaa, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Amarar N.T. Rama Rao and poet Kannadasan, among others, became famous thanks to this company. The company has produced more than a hundred films in seven languages including Tamil and Sinhala. Amarar DR Sundaram Mudaliar, the founder of Modern Theatres, was one of the pioneers of the film industry. He brought many innovations in films such as the first dual role in Tamil cinema, the first talking film in Malayalam, the first colour films in Tamil and Malayalam, and the first English film shot in Tamil Nadu. He was fondly called “Boss” by all the abovementioned Tamil Nadu leaders.”
The BJP leader further added “A memorial arch has been erected on Salem Yercaud Road in memory of this legendary Modern Theatres company. Last February, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin stood in front of this memorial arch and took a photo, which was discussed on social media sites. But no one expected that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin would want to erect a statue of his father at the place where the memorial arch of the company that has created so many famous personalities is located.”
He also pointed out at the alleged interference of the Salem District Collector in his statement. Annamalai said “Saying that the Chief Minister wants to erect a statue of late DMK leader Karunanidhi at the place owned by Modern Theater Company, Salem District Collector has been insisting on giving the place where the memorial arch is located, but since his family did not accept it, the memorial arch belongs to the highway. It seems that the Tamil Nadu government is trying to invade. Furthermore, on another patta land owned by the said family, the construction work being carried out by the said family was also stopped, without any prior notice or permission. It seems that more than 50 policemen have encroached and demolished the structures.”
Annamalai further lambasted the DMK president saying “How is it justified to want DMK leader Karunanidhi’s statue to be placed in all the places where he worked? It is doubtful whether Karunanidhi himself would accept the installation of his statue at the premises created by the immortal T R Sundaram Mudaliar, who founded the culturally important Modern Theatre Company and provided a monthly salary to the late DMK leader Karunanidhi. If he wants, Chief Minister Stalin can erect his father’s statue in Arivalayam or at the thousands of educational institutes and campuses run by members of the DMK. Who’s going to question that?”
“Should Chief Minister Stalin erect his father’s statue by encroaching on a family property? Is this an attempt to establish that Karunanidhi was the founder of the Modern Theatre Company, tomorrow? Land grabbing may be DMK’s legacy. But the Chief Minister must realise that it is no longer valid. He seems to focus on this rather than looking to fix the rising crime rate all over Tamil Nadu, the breakdown of law and order, the calamities due to lack of proper development, the election promises, and the welfare of the people.” Annamalai said coming down heavy on CM Stalin.
Adding further, he said “The DMK government has been in power for almost three years only to attempt to distort the conventional history by renaming. Unable to control ministerial corruption or family interference, Stalin has been a total failure in administration. First focus on governance, they can think about keeping names later. If Chief Minister Stalin really wanted to pay respect to his father, it would be better if he erected the statue of the founder of Salem Modern Theaters, Amarar DR Sundaram, where the memorial arch is located, who gave livelihood to his family. It is good for the Chief Minister to realize that if he erects a statue for his father on land belonging to others, it would not be respectable for his father or the statue itself. It would be wrong to expect the public to be patient with the mistakes of their rulers all the time.”
பிறருக்குச் சொந்தமான இடத்தில் தனது தந்தையின் சிலையை அமைக்க முயற்சிப்பது, எக்காலத்திலும் அவரது தந்தைக்கோ, அவரது சிலைக்கோ எந்த வித மரியாதையையும் பெற்றுத் தராது என்பதை தமிழக முதல்வர் திரு @mkstalin அவர்கள் உணர்வது நலம். pic.twitter.com/vB4GwFq7ZT
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 13, 2023
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