Thiruvalluvar statue unveiled in Bangalore amidst tight security

Bangalore, Aug 9 (ANI): The statue of Tamil saint- poet Thiruvalluvar was unveiled on Sunday in Bangalore amidst tight security, bringing to an end of 18-year-old dispute.

Both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments expect the installation of the statue to normalize relations between the two feuding states.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi unveiled the statue at the Ulsoor Lake Park in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa.

In a reciprocal gesture, Tamil Nadu Government will unveil the statue of 16-century Kannada poet Sarvajna in Chennai on August 13.

Speaking at the ceremony Yeddyurappa said, "I have cleared everything. The question of a bandh does not arise. People are going to support in the entire state. We are continuing with the programme of unveiling the statues of Thiruvalluvar and Sarvajna."

Bangaloreans did not respond to the shutdown call given by pro-Kannada outfits who have expressed unhappiness over the unveiling of the statute.

Earlier, the Karnataka High Court had issued an order warning against calling for a shutdown or indulging in acts of violence by any organisation.

The dispute has a long history, The Karnataka Tamil Sangam had wanted to install the statue of Thiruvalluvar since 1968, and accordingly had placed request before every Chief Minister who had ruled the state till 1991.

In 1991, then Chief Minister S.Bangarappa and his cabinet colleague K.J. George took a special interest and allotted land near the Ulsoor Lake. Sangam installed the statue, but some pro-Kannada organizations succeeded in obtaining a stay on the unveiling from the Karnataka High Court.

Sangam appealed against the ruling and the High Court transferred the case to a Civil Court and the matter was pending for the last 18 years.

After assuming power, Yeddyurappa convinced the Sangam authorities to withdraw the case and announced the unveiling of statue and as a reciprocal gesture Karunanidhi announced the unveiling of the Sarvajna statue in Chennai. (ANI)