DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu presented the annual state budget for the financial year 2023-24 on Monday. While addressing the Assembly and presenting the state budget, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said that the government will build a memorial remembering two anti-Hindi protesters — Natarajan and Thalamuthu — who died in police custody in 1939.
The anti-Hindi agitation was spearheaded by 'Periyar' EV Ramaswamy, after the newly elected Congress government headed by Rajaji issued a Government Order in 1937 making Hindi compulsory in state government schools. Periyar, CN Annadurai along with tens and thousands of people from across the state staged protests against the move. Over 1,100 people, including Periyar and Annadurai, were arrested as part of taking part in Periyar's Self Respect Movement.
Natarajan from Chennai and Kumbakonam's Thalamuthu, who were jailed for protesting against the Three-Language policy, died due to illness in police custody in 1939. This aggravated the agitation against the "draconian" policy. However, in February 1940, the then Governor issued a notice which mentioned about withdrawal of compulsory Hindi in schools.
Now, remembering both Natarajan and Thalamuthu's sacrifice, the DMK-led government has decided to build a memorial that has been mentioned by the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister during Monday's budget session.
Opposition AIADMK Stages Walkout
Amid the budget session, Leader of Opposition and AIADMK interim General Secretary Edapadi Palaniswami along with his party leaders staged a walkout in protest against price hikes in milk, electricity bills, et al. The AIADMK also alleged murder of democracy occurred during the Erode East by-polls.
They also opposed the hike in prices of milk, electricity bill, property tax and false FIRs being lodged to target AIADMK leaders.