Archive · 18 Aug 2026
TN CM Vijay apologises as minister omits Karunanidhi honorific
In Tamil Nadu, a state in India, government leaders meet in a big building called the Assembly to talk about important things.
A minister named Mr. Ranjith Kumar was speaking about elections from the past.
He mentioned a very respected former leader, Mr. Karunanidhi, without using his special title 'Kalaignar'.
In the Assembly, everyone usually uses that title to show respect.
The opposition party members were upset and shouted loudly.
The Chief Minister, Mr. Vijay, stopped the minister's speech.
He said it was wrong to talk about the late leader that way.
He said sorry on behalf of the minister.
Then the tension calmed down and the Assembly continued its work.
It is important to use respectful words for leaders who have passed away.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay apologised in the Assembly after State Forest Minister R V Ranjith Kumar referred to former CM M Karunanidhi by name without the honorific 'Kalaignar'.
The remark came during a debate on demands for grants for the Health and Revenue departments.
Opposition DMK members, led by former minister K K S S R Ramachandran, protested loudly over the breach of decorum.
Ranjith Kumar had criticised past cash-for-votes strategies, citing the 'Thirumangalam formula' and claiming up to Rs 1,500 per vote was distributed in his Kancheepuram constituency.
Vijay halted the minister mid-speech and said 'I apologise on his behalf,' defusing the tension in the Assembly.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, State Forest Minister R V Ranjith Kumar, and DMK opposition members led by former minister K K S S R Ramachandran
- What
- The Chief Minister apologised after a minister referred to former CM M Karunanidhi by name without the customary honorific 'Kalaignar'.
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
- Why
- The direct reference violated a long-standing convention of addressing revered leaders with formal protocol titles, prompting DMK protests.
- Chief Minister
- C Joseph Vijay
- Minister who made remark
- R V Ranjith Kumar (State Forest Minister)
- Former CM referred to
- M Karunanidhi
- Omitted honorific
- Kalaignar (scholar)
- Location
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
- Context
- Debate on demands for grants for Health and Revenue departments
- Controversial reference
- Thirumangalam formula (cash-for-votes)
- Claimed vote money
- Up to Rs 1,500 per vote in Kancheepuram constituency
Sources
TN CM Vijay Apologises Over Minister’s Karunanidhi Reference
TN CM apologises in Assembly after minister omits honorific for ex-CM Karunanidhi
"I Apologise On His Behalf": Vijay As Minister Mentions Karunanidhi Without Title