TN Govt to install Periyar's statue in Samathuvapurams

Chennai, Jan 23: The Tamil Nadu Government would establish additional 95 Samathuvapurams (equality habitations) and install statues of rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy in each of the habitations, instead of erecting a 95 ft tall Periyar statue.

Governor S S Barnala, in his customary address to the State Assembly today, said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who accepted the request of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) President K Veeramani for a 95 ft tall statue, felt that Periyar's message of social equality could be spread by a better way by establishing additional Samathuvapurams.

''Considering the fact that even better way of spreading Thanthai Periyar's message of social equality would be to establish another 95 Samathuvapurams in his name, each having his statue at the entrance of the residential area where all communities live in unity and brotherhood, this government has now decided to commence work for the same.'' On completion along with the 145 Samathuvapurams already established by this government, there would be 240 Samathuvapurams with statues of Periyar in the state, the Governor said amid thumping of desks by members cutting across party lines.

UNI