The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution condemning violence in Karnataka, where pro-Kannada groups opposed to the Hogenakkal Integrated Water Project, attacked theatres screening Tamil movies, and urged the Centre to immediately intervene to 'maintain the sovereignty and integrity of the nation'.
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who replied on a special call attention motion by different parties, including Opposition AIADMK and MDMK, condemned the violence by 'some linguistic-fanatic groups', and said the Centre should intervene to maintain the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
"Tamil Nadu has always maintained cordial relationships and brotherhood with neighbouring states. But these fanatics are against the welfare of Tamils," Karunanidhi said, adding the violence as well as opposition to the project was against the integrity and sovereignty of the nation.
"Some linguistic-fanatics in Karnataka always have an allergy towards Tamils. Unless that is removed, sovereignty and integrity would remain mere words," Karunanidhi said in his reply.
The Centre should immediately intervene and advise Karnataka to drop its opposition, the resolution said. The assembly has already adopted a similar motion on March 27.
Earlier, displaying rare unity and camaraderie, members, cutting across party lines, voiced their whole-hearted support to the project.
Besides targeting Tamil cinema halls and Tamil Sangham office in Bangalore, the pro-Kannada groups also burnt an effigy of Karunanidhi on Monday for remarks to go ahead with the water project at Hogenakkal situated at the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border.
