13-05-2025
Tamil Nadu has given the Armed Forces its all, be it war with China or Pakistan
Last weekend, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin led a march in Chennai in solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces, which had launched 'Operation Sindoor' targeting terror networks in Pakistan. However, this was not the first time Tamil Nadu stood united — setting aside political differences — to support the efforts of the Centre. In the past, leaders cutting across party lines had rallied behind the Armed Forces, offering everything from blood to bullion during times of war or external aggression.
Support to Nehru
During the Indo-China War in 1962, the DMK, which was in opposition in Madras State, pledged its support to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru-led government. According to a report published in The Hindu on November 13, 1962, DMK founder C.N. Annadurai pledged his party's support to the Centre in resisting the aggression and called for a moratorium on all political agitations and controversies in the country.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Annadurai said, 'The fact that all parties are united in giving the government wide powers is proof positive that there has arisen a stage when petty political differences ought to be submerged, for the one cardinal principle of safeguarding the dignity and independence of the country.'
Meanwhile, the Congress-led government in Madras State formed a 90-member State Committee for National Defence Aid. Chief Minister K. Kamaraj was the chairman of the committee, while Finance Minister M. Bhaktavatsalam served as its treasurer. The committee was tasked with mobilising funds. The government distributed 1,000 hundi boxes in Madras City and 1,500 such boxes in mofussil centres to collect contributions for the National Defence Fund, The Hindu reported on November 15, 1962. The single largest contribution from the State came from Tamil cinema icon and DMK leader M.G. Ramachandran, who donated ₹75,000.
During the 1965 India-Pakistan War, Annadurai expressed the unwavering support of his party towards meeting the threat posed by Pakistan to India's territorial integrity. He also called upon Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri to forge a powerful phalanx by uniting the various parties in the country, said a report published in The Hindu on May 4, 1965.
Kamaraj visits border
Kamaraj, then president of the Indian National Congress, visited the Attari-Wagah border along with Home Minister Gulzarilal Nanda and met Indian soldiers to congratulate them on their valour and high morale. He also visited Amritsar to commend the anti-aircraft gunners who shot down two Pakistani Sabre jets.
During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council unanimously adopted resolutions on December 6, strongly condemning Pakistani aggression and pledging full cooperation and support to the Centre to repel the attack. The resolution also urged the people of Tamil Nadu to extend wholehearted cooperation to the State government in its efforts to implement any decision taken by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to secure men, material, and weapons.
'The dictator of Pakistan, not being satisfied with the suppression of the voice of democracy in East Bengal and wholesale massacre of the people, had indulged in indirect aggression against India by imposing on it the heavy burden of maintaining the refugees pouring from Bangladesh,' The Hindu reported on December 7, 1971, quoting the resolution.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who moved the resolution, said the Ministers had decided to contribute ₹500 to the war fund. He appealed to the members of the legislature to contribute a minimum of ₹100. He also announced that steps would be taken to collect blood from donors, and a unit would be set up for this purpose at the Secretariat.
Kamaraj, then leader of the Congress (O), said that at a time the country was facing a war launched by Pakistan, the people must remain united under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, setting aside party, caste, creed, or community differences. In New Delhi, Karunanidhi handed over to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi a parcel of articles transported in six trucks, intended for use by soldiers in forward areas and those undergoing treatment at hospitals. These items, worth ₹3.08 crore, were collected from members of the public by the State Defence Amenities Committee. Later, during Indira Gandhi's visit to Chennai in May 1972, Karunanidhi handed over ₹6 crore, mobilised for the National Defence Fund.
Kargil conflict
During the Kargil conflict in 1999, the ruling DMK resolved to extend full support to the actions taken by the government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to counter aggression in Kashmir following the infiltration of extremist elements from Pakistan.
According to a report in The Hindu on June 3, 1999, the DMK passed a separate resolution at its general council meeting, supporting military action in Kargil. Party president and Chief Minister Karunanidhi lauded the courageous and successful efforts of the Indian troops in driving back the infiltrators and foiling their designs. The party's general council also condoled the death of army officers, including Major Saravanan, in the conflict. The Tamil Nadu government also created the Kargil Defence Personnel Fund.
An archival report in The Hindu said ₹1.8 crore was collected within two days of the fund having been set up. Various departments of the government, political parties, educational institutions, associations, and companies, including The Hindu, contributed to the fund.
