Dravidar Kazhagam asks DMK cadres not to pray to God for Karunanidhi's recovery

Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani on Monday appealed to the DMK cadres to not to indulge in superstition activities like holding special prayer and breaking pumpkin in front of the Kauvery hospital for the recovery of their leader M Karunanidhi as he was getting well with the help of medicine.

"One can respect Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) only by following his ideology. So I appeal to you not follow any superstition," he said in a statement. 

Karunanidhi, a known atheist, has been admitted to Kauvery Hospital here since Saturday due to health issues.

There have been reports of DMK members holding prayers for Karunanidhi's better health. Students of the school at Tiruvarur where Karunanidhi had studied held a prayer for the well being of their illustrious alumni.

A DMK member tonsured his head for Karunanidhi's betterment -- like it is done in some Hindu temples.

Veeramani heading Dravidar Kazhagam, which was founded by social reformer Periyar, said those who consider Karunanidhi their leader have to respect his beliefs and principles.

Karunanidhi had once called the ritual of fire walking by a party leader as barbaric and urged other party members not to emulate him.

The DMK was born following a split in the DK but remained ideologically on the same path.