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{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image =
| image_size = 150px
| name = Aladi Aruna (alias) V Arunachalam
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1933|07|09}}
| parents = Vaithiyalingam Nadar and Pathirakaaliyammal
| birth_place = Aladipatti, [[Tirunelveli district|Tirunelveli]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]] (Now [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2004|12|31|1933|07|09}}
| death_place = [[Alangulam, Tirunelveli]], India
| office3 = [[Department of Law (Tamil Nadu)|Minister of Law]]
| 1blankname3 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata3 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| term_start3 = 1996
| term_end3 = 2001
| office4 = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
| term_start4 = 25 July 1983
| term_end4 = 24 July 1989
| constituency4 = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| office5 = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| term_start5 = 1977
| term_end5 = 1980
| constituency5 = [[Tirunelveli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tirunelveli]]
| predecessor5 = S. A. Muruganantham
| successor5 = [[D. S. A. Sivaprakasam]]
| office6 = [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start6 = 1996
| term_end6 = 2001
| predecessor6 = [[S. S. Ramasubbu]]
| successor6 = P. G. Rajendran Nadar
| term_start7 = 1967
| term_end7 = 1977
| predecessor7 = [[S. Chellapandian]]
| successor7 = [[V. Karuppasamy Pandian]]
| constituency7 = [[Alangulam (State Assembly Constituency)|Alangulam]]
| party = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
|otherparty = [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| alma_mater = St. John's College, Palayamkottai, [[Madras Law College]]<ref name="AAP">{{cite book|title=Who's Who in Asian and Australasian Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ge25AAAAIAAJ|year=1991|publisher=Bowker-Saur|isbn=978-0-86291-593-3|page=17}}</ref>
| occupation =
| networth =
| spouse = Kamala
| children = Five sons and [[Poongothai Aladi Aruna]]
| website =
| footnotes =
| date =
| year =
| source = https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/a.pdf
}}
'''Aladi Aruna (alias) V Arunachalam''' was an Indian politician .He was the Law Minister of [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was elected to the [[Tamil Nadu legislative assembly]] as a member of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] from [[Alangulam (State Assembly Constituency)|Alangulam constituency]] in [[1967 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1967]], [[1971 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1971 elections]] and [[1996 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1996 elections]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1967/Statistical%20Report%20Madras%201967.pdf |title=1967 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India |access-date=19 March 2012 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320175222/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1967/Statistical%20Report%20Madras%201967.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1971/StatReport_TN_71.pdf |title=1971 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India |access-date=19 March 2012 |archive-date=6 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006131227/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1971/StatReport_TN_71.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] the [[lower house]] of [[Parliament of India|India's Parliament]] from [[Tirunelveli (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tirunelveli constituency]] in the [[Indian general election in Tamil Nadu, 1977|1977 elections]] .<ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf Volume I, 1977 Indian general election, 6th Lok Sabha] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718185438/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1977/Vol_I_LS_77.pdf |date=18 July 2014 }}</ref> He was also a member of the [[Rajya Sabha]] the [[upper house]] of [[Parliament of India|India's Parliament]] as a member of the [[Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]. He came into limelight when he issued dissent note in the JPC report on the [[Bofors Scandal]] against a clean chit to Rajiv Gandhi government.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Illustrated Weekly of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aHE-gNVllf0C|year=1989|publisher=Published for the proprietors, Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited, at the Times of India Press|page=57}}</ref><ref name="Bhattacharya2019">{{cite book|author=AK Bhattacharya|title=The Rise of Goliath: Twelve Disruptions That Changed India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vH2jDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT233|year=2019|publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited|isbn=978-93-5305-597-4|page=233}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://m.rediff.com/news/feb/22bofors.htm | title=Rajiv Gandhi favoured Bofors, says ex-JPC member | publisher=Rediff | accessdate=15 September 2019}}</ref> He was murdered in 2004.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010107310100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050103021524/http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010107310100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=3 January 2005 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Aladi Aruna murdered | date=1 January 2005}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Aladipatti Arunachalam, alias Aladi Aruna, was born in [[Aladipatti]], a village about 30 kilometres from [[Tirunelveli]], to Vaithiyalingam Nadar and Pathirakaaliyammal. His father was a farmer and also owned a provisions store. He was the eldest son in the family with two brothers and two sisters.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}}

After his primary school education at the Primary school in Aladipatti, he completed his high school education from Tirunelveli. He graduated in B.A. (Economics) from St.John's College, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli and a [[Bachelor of Laws|Bachelor of Law]] degree from [[Madras Law College]].<ref name="AAP"/>

He was married to Kamala with whom he had five sons and a daughter.<ref name="murder-Hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010107310100.htm|title=Aladi Aruna murdered|work=The Hindu|date=1 January 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917032933/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/01/01/stories/2005010107310100.htm|archive-date=17 September 2008|url-status=usurped}}</ref> His daughter, [[Poongothai Aladi Aruna]], followed him into politics.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Hindu |title=Descendants shine in party of rising sun |first=B. |last=Kolappan |date=21 April 2016 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/descendants-shine-in-party-of-rising-sun/article8501998.ece |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421015034/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/descendants-shine-in-party-of-rising-sun/article8501998.ece |archivedate=21 April 2016}}</ref>

He founded Einstein College of Engineering in Tamil Nadu in 2004 and was also instrumental in the success of Dhanalakshmi Higher Secondary School established in 1913, a 100-year school in North Chennai.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

== Political career ==

Though born into a family that traditionally held the priestdom of the famous Vaithiyalingasamy Kovil in Aladipatti, he was strongly influenced by the rationalist movement spearheaded by Periyar and greatly enchanted with the silver-tongued oratory of [[C. N. Annadurai]] and [[M. Karunanidhi]]. These influences soon became his guiding forces and he entered the political movement even as a young student and actively participated in the "[[Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu|Anti-Hindi agitation]]". His book "Hindi Egathipathiyam" is considered a treatise on the movement.

He started his political career by unsuccessfully contesting in the Assembly elections from [[Alangulam (State Assembly Constituency)|Alangulam]] as a [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) candidate in [[1962 Madras legislative assembly election|1962]]. He was later elected to the Assembly on two occasions in [[1967 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1967]] and [[1971 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1971]] as a DMK candidate. He was greatly responsible for the organisation of cooperatives for the beedi workers during this period. He also won Lok Sabha election in 1977 from Tirunelveli.

He later joined the [[Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] and was elected to the Lok Sabha, from Tirunelveli and later [[M. G. Ramachandran]] nominated him to the [[Rajya Sabha]] from [[Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu]] in 1984. He also served as the leader of the AIADMK in the Rajya Sabha. During this tenure, he served as a member of the Joint Parliament Committee that probed the [[Bofors scandal]]. He raised a dissent note on the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee which examined the Bofors Scam, which was a death-knell to the Rajiv Gandhi government. Aladi Aruna's comment in the dissent note said "The son (Rajiv Gandhi) has surpassed mother (Indira Gandhi) in corruption and abuse of power".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/feb/22bofors.htm|title=Rajiv Gandhi favoured Bofors, says ex-JPC member|publisher=Rediff|year=1997}}</ref>

After the death of Ramachandran, he rejoined the DMK and was appointed its spokesperson. He was the first person to hold office as spokesperson in the DMK.

He became a Law Minister of Tamil Nadu after winning the assembly election contesting as a DMK candidate in [[1996 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1996]].<ref name="murder-Hindu"/> He was instrumental in the establishment of the law university in Chennai and setting up the High Court branch in Madurai, bringing a law college to Tirunelveli.

== DMK ==
He participated and lead various agitations against Hindi during 1962 - 1967, was imprisoned for more than a year during that Anti Hindi Movement. He organized Beedi rollers of Tirunelveli to come under a forum and made them powerful. It is his efforts that got the beedi rollers separate ID cards and getting benefits from State and Central Governments. He was always a star speaker in all meetings and conferences, it was said that Aringar Anna will tell the meeting organisers to make Aladi Aruna speak after his arrival as he wants to listen the speech of Aladi Aruna. Never in his political life accused of any allegations in any form. Even the apposition political party leader admire him for his honesty, integrity and service. He was one of the respected politicians in New Delhi. He was suspended from DMK party for alleged anti-party activities.<ref>{{cite news|title= Form panels for poll activities, DMK functionaries told|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/07/stories/2004030701870300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040411225634/http://www.hindu.com/2004/03/07/stories/2004030701870300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2004|date=7 March 2004|work= [[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> He accused the party of sidelining those who oppose [[M. K. Stalin]] emerging as a potential candidate for Chief Minister. He also said that Stalin was unfit to become Chief Minister or lead the party headed by stalwarts such as [[C. N. Annadurai]] and [[M. Karunanidhi]].

== Books ==
Aladi Aruna was one of the foremost Dravidian writers in English. He has authored several books in English and Tamil.
He has written several books on varied topics.<ref name="murder-Hindu"/>
''Unfederal Features of the Indian Constitution'' is notable among his books
Defend Our Rights - which discusses center state relationship
Voice for the States - A compilation of his various speeches in Parliament. He was the editor of weekly "Ennam" .{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

His other works in Tamil include,
* Hindi Egathipathiyam (இந்தி ஏகாதிபத்தியம்)history of Anti Hindi Agitation Movement
* Aladi Aruna Sirukathaigal(ஆலடி அருணா சிறுகதைகள்) his writings in Ennam News Magazines
* Inthiya Arasiyal Amaippum koothachiyum (இந்திய அரசியல் அமைப்பும் கூட்டாட்சியும் )
* Kamarajar oru vazhikatti(காமராஜர் ஒரு வழிகாட்டி).{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}
* Incomplete works on Moondru muthalvargaludan naan

== Death ==
Aladi Aruna was murdered during a morning walk near Alangulam, in [[Tenkasi district]] on 31 December 2004. His friend R. Ponraj who also accompanied him was killed and Socrates, [[TASMAC]] bar attendant from Aladipatti survived the attack.<ref name="murder-Hindu"/>

According to police, Aruna was attacked by a gang instructed by his friend and local educationist [[S. A. Raja]], with whom he had fallen out over setting up of educational institutions in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Raja was arrested in January 2005 but was bailed by the [[Supreme Court of India]] in July 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Three found guilty of Aladi Aruna's murder |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/three-found-guilty-of-aladi-arunas-murder_10038537.html |publisher=Thaindian News|date=16 April 2008}}</ref> The district court acquitted Raja on 15 April 2008.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Two-guilty-of-Aladi-Aruna-murder-charges-against-S.A.-Raja-not-proved/article15205282.ece The Hindu,Two guilty of Aladi Aruna murder, charges against S.A. Raja not proved, April 17, 2008]</ref> The High Court reversed the verdict on 5 August 2009.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Court-reverses-S.A.-Rajarsquos-acquittal/article16528206.ece The Hindu, Court reverses S.A. Raja’s acquittal, August 06, 2009]</ref> The Supreme Court then again acquitted and released him on 30 July 2010, writing that the high court could not establish that he was guilty.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/S.A.-Raja-acquitted-in-Aladi-Aruna-murder-case/article16215699.ece The Hindu, S.A. Raja acquitted in Aladi Aruna murder case, July 31, 2010]</ref><ref>[http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/imgst.aspx?filename=36635 Judgement,2010]</ref>

Two of the accused, Balamurugan and Azhagar, were convicted in Tirunelveli principal sessions court and sentenced to death in April 2008. A third, Veldurai, was convicted for a violation of the Arms Act and sentenced to three years in prison. Six others were acquitted, including Raja.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aladi Aruna murder: 2 get death rap|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/apr/17rap.htm|publisher=Rediff|date=17 April 2008}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
*Aladi aruna -Sila ninaivugal :Author :Selvamuthu

==External links==
* [https://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/a.pdf "RAJYA SABHA MEMBERS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 1952 - 2003]
*[http://loksabhaph.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/2306.htm Official biographical sketch in Lok Sabha website]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aruna, Aladi}}
[[Category:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:2004 deaths]]
[[Category:Assassinated Indian politicians]]
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu ministers]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:6th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1996–2001]]
[[Category:People from Tirunelveli district]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1971–1976]]

Aladi Aruna - Revision history

UpdateBot at 07:30, 17 February 2022