CHENNAI: The Tamil new year will be the first day of Chithirai month yet again. An Act brought in by the previous DMK regime in 2008 making the first day of Thai month as the new year, coinciding with the Pongal festival, was repealed in the Assembly on Tuesday. In a brief discussion that preceded the voice vote to repeal the law, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa reasoned that since time immemorial Tamils celebrated the first day of Chithirai as the new year day. Despite the law changing the new year date 3 years ago, crores of Tamils continued to celebrate first day of Chithirai as the New Year. Jayalalithaa said it would only be appropriate to rescind the law honouring people’s opinion. “I would like to place on record that it would only be proper to repeal the law. It hurt the sentiments of the people, violated traditions and is of no use to anyone.” Slamming DMK chief M Karunanidhi, she said he enacted the law for self publicity. “If a law is enacted, it should be of use to people. Else, the common man must have made such a demand. Also, the reasons for it must be made known. Nothing of this sort happened.” Welcoming the move, CK Tamizharasan of the Republican Party of India said, “It is important to respect the faith and freedom of people.” CPM member A Soundararajan sought a detailed discussion before the law was annulled and urged that the Bill be sent to the Select Committee. Earlier, SP Shanmuganathan, Minister for HR and CE moved the Bill. It was passed amid thumping of desks by treasury bench members.
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