The Tamil Nadu government has proposed to establish an integrated memorial complex for five icons — Queen Velu Nachiyar, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, B.R. Ambedkar, K. Kamaraj, and Anjalai Ammal — along with a library on a portion of the University Union Grounds in Chetpet belonging to the University of Madras (UoM). The five personalities are also the “ideological leaders” of the ruling TVK.
A cross-section of UoM faculty, staff, physical education teachers of affiliated colleges and sports enthusiasts has objected to the proposal. The University Union Grounds on Spur Tank Road is widely used not only by sportspersons of the university and its affiliated colleges but also different educational institutions to host their sports meets and for training.
According to sources, the Chennai Collector, in a letter dated September 17, addressed to the University authorities, sought its consent for establishing the integrated memorial complex and library on a portion of the grounds. Sources said officials from the Egmore Tahsildar’s office had visited the grounds recently and had taken measurements of the plot of land.
The Collector, in the letter, said Minister Rajmohan had, during the recent Budget session of the Assembly, announced the government’s proposal to set up the memorial for the leaders at an investment of ₹5 crore.
Consequent to this announcement, the portion of the university grounds was identified for constructing the memorial. Incidentally, Chennai already hosts expansive memorials to Ambedkar on Greenways Road, Periyar at Vepery, and Kamaraj on Sardar Patel Road.
Sources at the university informed The Hindu that a plot of land on the northeastern edge of the ground, which housed a tennis court till about three decades ago and was used for other sports activities subsequently, was the proposed spot. Over three decades ago, the parcel housed a tennis court which was damaged due to water stagnation. The court was removed and cricket nets were put up for students to practice. That, too, was damaged following which, the parcel of land was cleaned up and used for handball practice. The actual dimensions of the piece of land wasn’t immediately available.
“Our apprehension is that once the complex is constructed, the pathway for access to the memorial will have to be laid through the ground, thereby encroaching upon the space used by athletes and sportspersons,” a Physical Education Director of an affiliated college said. A section of Physical Education Directors met on Tuesday to discuss the issue and voiced their disapproval of the government’s proposal. They felt the memorial could be established elsewhere on government land in Chennai, instead of taking up the space belonging to the university.
The teaching staff at the university said the focus should be on developing facilities at the grounds rather than constructing memorials. Besides, they cautioned that the university should not take any decision on handing over the plot to the government without a wider discussion, not only within the Syndicate and Senate of the university, but also with other stakeholders.
In the past, the historic venue has hosted the Buchi Babu Memorial Cricket Tournament, the A.L. Mudaliar Athletics meet, and even international matches featuring the women’s cricket team. Even now, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association conducts its lower-division league matches here.
“The Union Ground is common to all the affiliated colleges, who host their annual sports meets here. Moreover, zonal meets and inter-university tournaments are conducted here. Football teams of several colleges train here. Everything is free of cost,” said a PED of a leading college. “We are also hearing that around 10-15 trees will be cut and the vultures that come here regularly will lose their habitat,” he added.