Karuna slams Guru Utsav ‘ conspiracy’

The Union human resources development ministry’s decision to celebrate Teacher’s Day as “Guru Utsav” has raised a controversy in Tamil Nadu. with DMK chief M. Karunanidhi alleging there is “a conspiracy”. The state unit of the BJP, however, slammed him for criticising the basic quartet concept in which a teacher, or guru, occupies the third position in one’s life.

“This morning I read a newspaper report that the Central government has issued a circular to celebrate Teacher’s Day as Guru Utsav hereafter. We have been celebrating Teacher’s Day for several years. This is an apt exam- ple of hatching a conspiracy to downgrade Tamil language and those who made sacrifices for its welfare,” Mr Karunanidhi said.

He noted that the ceremony was held as per Tamil culture and requested everyone to work for the welfare of Tamil and the cause of Tamil society.

BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarajan, however said, that there was no justification in claiming that the move would downgrade Tamils.