It is yet another proof of how the DMK’s Dravidian Model Government respects deceased leaders who are still remembered for their role in state politics. Following public and social media outrage, the DMK government has painted over the names with black paint.
Kakkan, a prominent Dalit leader (18 June 1908 – 23 December 1981), was known for his simplicity and honesty throughout his political career. He served as the Home Minister in the K. Kamaraj-led Congress government. In his later years, he lived a life without wealth, struggling for day-to-day needs. He received treatment at government hospitals. He reportedly owned only one or two dhotis and shirts even when he was a minister.
On June 18, 2019, the 109th birth anniversary of the late P. Kakkan, one of the state’s formidable leaders and an Indian freedom fighter, was observed. His family’s poverty can be understood from the following two incidents:
“Sometime around 1978, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) saw a woman among the morning crowd, got out of his car, approached her and enquired about her husband. He invited her to eat and said a car would take her home. She was former Congress minister Kakkan’s wife. Kakkan had been unable to pay the Rs 170 rent and faced eviction from his government accommodation. Requesting a day’s time, his wife had approached MGR, who settled all rental dues from his personal funds. The next day, a government order announced free housing for Kakkan and granted a monthly stipend of Rs 500. MGR ensured that this continued for his family even after his death.”
Kakkan, who came close to becoming the first Dalit Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was fondly remembered as Kakkanji. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly, MP, President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, and held many ministerial positions in Congress governments between 1957 and 1967. In his post-political years, he lived in a small, rented flat provided by the government. He never sought personal help from anyone, considering it beneath his dignity and self-respect.
Once, when MGR, who was then Chief Minister, was visiting an acquaintance in the VIP ward, he was informed that Kakkan was being treated in the general ward without a bed, lying on the floor. On hearing this, MGR rushed to Kakkan’s ward and offered him a free government service. Kakkan was such a tall figure in Tamil Nadu’s political history.
C.N. Annadurai, one of the founders of the DMK, was well-educated and had oratorical skills and literary talent. Both the DMK and AIADMK have named buildings, roads, colonies, and towns after him, besides installing statues at road junctions across the state.
But the Stalin administration has shown its respect to them in an unfitting manner—by naming community toilets after them. This sparked off controversy. The public, politicians, and others joined together to voice their strongest condemnation of the way these two leaders were commemorated.
The toilet, located in the Silver Jubilee area of Kurichi in Ward 85 under the Coimbatore Corporation’s South Zone, had the names “Thyagi Kakkan G” and “Perarignar Annadurai” painted in Tamil on its exterior, along with the text “Coimbatore Corporation, South Zone, Ward No. 95, Male – Female Toilet.”
The naming drew condemnation from functionaries of the AIADMK and BJP, who called it disrespectful to the memory of two leaders widely regarded for their integrity, modesty, and simplicity. DMK leaders also condemned the act, seemingly to save face.
Leaders of both the DMK and AIADMK criticised the Corporation’s decision, stating that such a gesture was inappropriate and hurtful to the legacy of the leaders. They demanded the names be removed and urged the civic body to clarify how the decision was approved.
Former BJP State President K. Annamalai, in a post on his X handle, condemned the naming, calling it a degrading act and urging immediate action against those responsible.
கோவை மாநகராட்சியில், முன்னாள் தமிழக முதலமைச்சர் அண்ணாதுரை மற்றும், பெருந்தலைவர் காமராஜர் அமைச்சரவையில் பணியாற்றிய நேர்மையான தலைவர் கக்கன் ஆகியோர் பெயரை, கழிப்பறைக்கு வைத்திருக்கிறார்கள். எளிமையான இரண்டு தலைவர்களை அவமதிக்கும் கோவை மாநகராட்சியின் இந்த தரம்தாழ்ந்த செயலுக்கு வன்மையான… pic.twitter.com/A7zvMXmC8q
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) April 21, 2025
Annamalai said, “The names of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Annadurai and the honest leader Kakkan, who served in Perunthalaivar Kamaraj’s cabinet, have been used for naming a public toilet by the Coimbatore Corporation. I strongly condemn this demeaning act of the Coimbatore Corporation that insults two humble leaders. Chief Minister @mkstalin, who adorns his father’s name on bus stands and government buildings with public taxpayers’ money, has allowed the names of leaders far greater than him to be placed on a toilet—with what other intention but to humiliate them? I urge Chief Minister @mkstalin to immediately remove the names of these leaders from the toilet and take strict action against those responsible.”
Following the criticism, Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran immediately ordered on April 22 that the names be painted over and initiated an inquiry into how the naming was authorised.
The Corporation Commissioner, Sivaguru Prabakaran, told the media, “The names were written 15 years ago. Now we have repainted the building as part of renovation. We have not written the names of Kakkan and Annadurai. The Corporation has not officially named any toilet. No such resolution was passed. I will investigate how these names appeared there.”
Critics suggest, “Why can’t the Corporation name retail liquor-selling TASMAC outlets after Karunanidhi? That would be fitting for the man who lifted prohibition and paved the way for liquor sales despite Rajaji’s objections.”
