Statue will be unveiled amidst tight security

As the day for the unveiling of the Thiruvalluvar statue is nearing, protests opposing it have mounted. While Kannada organisations have expressed their dissent to unveiling the Thiruvalluvar statue in Bangalore, the Tamil Sangam avers that the ceremony will however be a peaceful affair. The Bangalore Tamil Sangam president M Meenakshi Sundaram spoke to DNA on the issue.

With the Kannada organisations calling for a bandh on Sunday, do you think the ceremony will take place peacefully?
We had a meeting with senior police officials and they assured us that ample security arrangements will be made on Sunday from 11am to 1pm. We are expecting more than one lakh people to witness the ceremony. Many important people from Tamil Nadu will also be participating. We are confident that the ceremony will proceed without the threat of any untoward incident. The unveiling ceremony of the great poet is not linked to politics in any sense.

Do you think the government is extending adequate support?
All political parties have expressed consensus over the unveiling of Thiruvalluvar statue. The government has taken sufficient measures to ensure safety. We will make all efforts for this occasion to advance smoothly.

What arrangements have been made for the ceremony?
The Tamil Nadu government has granted Rs10 lakh for the programme including a cultural programme that will be organised. We hope the programme goes on peacefully.

Kannada organisations are upset that the Sarvagna statue will not be installed in Chennai’s prime location.
That is not true. Aynavaram is a very busy area in Chennai. Moreover, the location is ideal because a majority of Kannadigas reside there and an office of a Kannada organisation is also located here. The Kannada organisations are taking up these issues only to create controversies. They don’t seem to understand the reality.

Will a delegation be sent to convince Gandhi to withdraw the PIL that he has filed against granting classical status to Kannada?
Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi has promised that he himself will convince Gandhi to withdraw the PIL that he has filed. I think there is no need for any of us to go there. We are positive that he will take care of the issue very well.

What arrangements have been made for the Bangalore Tamil Sangam to participate in unveiling of the Sarvagna statue?
Five buses have been booked for us to travel to Chennai for the unveiling ceremony of the Sarvagna statue, on the 13th of August. The government has already made all the arrangements for the occasion.