Kallakudi demonstration

rdf:langString Kallakudi demonstration

rdf:langString The Kallakudi demonstration was organised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on 15 July 1953 in Kallakudi in the erstwhile Tiruchirappalli district against naming the place as Dalmiapuram. Ramakrishna Dalmia, a businessman from Bihar, established a cement factory in Kallakudi and the place was renamed Dalmiapuram on his request. DMK opposed the move as a suppression of South Indians by North India. It was the first notable demonstration by M Karunanidhi, the five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and his party, the DMK. The DMK party blocked passenger trains during the protest. The police opened fire on the demonstration killing two civilians and injuring 16 others. Twelve policemen were injured, including The Deputy Superindent of Police and the Circle Inspector and ten other constables. The demonstration was the first notable demonstration by DMK and for M Karunanidhi who would go on to become the five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The government ordered an open judicial enquiry into the incident headed by the District Magistrate of Madurai and the Principal Subordinate Judge of Tuticorin. The judicial enquiries and later court proceedings lead to Karunanidhi and the four others arrested getting sentenced to five months in prison and a fine of 35 Rupees on each. The demonstration was a part of Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu, which has lasting political impact on Tamil Nadu.