Coimbatore MP Ganapathy P. Rajkumar has called for naming Coimbatore International Airport as Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi International Airport in honour of the former Chief Minister and DMK icon M. Karunanidhi.
Mr. Rajkumar made the submission before the Lok Sabha under rule 377 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, raising it as a matter of urgent public importance.
In his submission, Mr. Rajkumar stated that Karunanidhi entered politics at the age of 14 and was imprisoned for participating in the Anti-Hindi agitations in 1965. He advocated for increased State autonomy, affirmative action to favour lower castes and implemented a caste-based quota system for Government employment and Government school students, as well as subsidies to the poor. Karunanidhi is known for his contributions to Tamil literature and ensuring the status of classical language to Tamil.
He served his entire life for the development and welfare of Tamil Nadu and the evolution of Tamil language across the State. All sectors of industries in Tamil Nadu developed rapidly during his tenure as Chief Minister, submitted Mr. Rajkumar, urging the Union government to accord the name of Karunanidhi to Coimbatore airport.
Published – December 16, 2025 08:43 pm IST
