2409:40F4:101E:604B:948C:2FFF:FE30:D11A at 22:15, 25 September 2025

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{{Short description|Former Politician from Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{use Indian English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Kaduvetti Guru
| image = Kaduvetti J. Guru.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Jayaraman Gurunathan
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1961|02|01}}
| birth_place = Kaduvetti, [[Jayankondam]], [[Udayarpalayam taluk]], [[Ariyalur district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| residence = Kaduvetti, [[Jayankondam]], [[Udayarpalayam taluk]], [[Ariyalur district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|05|25|1961|02|01}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| office = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency = Andimadam
| salary =
| term =
| predecessor = Rajendiran
| successor = S. S. Sivasankar
| party = [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]]
| party_position =
| parents = Jayaraman <br /> Kalyani
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| spouse = Latha
| children = Viruthambigai <br /> Kanalarasan
| website =
| footnotes =
| year = 2011
| source =
| constituency1 = [[Jayankondam (state assembly constituency)|Jayankondam]]
| termstart = 13 May 2001
| termend = 11 May 2006
| termstart1 = 13 May 2011
| termend1 = 19 May 2016
| predecessor1 = K. Rajendran
| successor1 = J. K. N. Ramajeyalingam
}}

'''J. Guru''' (born '''Jayaraman Gurunathan'''; 1 February 1961 – 25 May 2018),<ref name=":0" /> also known as '''Kaduvetti Guru''', was an Indian politician<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/assembly-elections-2011/tamil-nadu/kaduvetti-guru-bjp-man-have-most-cases-against-them/articleshow/7869967.cms|title = Kaduvetti Guru, BJP man have most cases against them|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> who was twice elected as a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] in [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2018-05-26|title='Kaduvetti' Guru dead|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kaduvetti-guru-dead/article23994936.ece|access-date=2021-04-25|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He was the president of the Vanniyar Sangam, a caste-based organization that represented the interests of the [[Vanniyar]] community. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2020/05/28034158/1232613/Tension-in-Kaduvetti-as-Gurus-kin-attacked.vpf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122060826/https://www.dtnext.in/News/TamilNadu/2020/05/28034158/1232613/Tension-in-Kaduvetti-as-Gurus-kin-attacked.vpf |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 November 2021 |title=Tension in Kaduvetti as Guru's kin attacked |website=DTNext.in |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref>

Guru was known for his inflammatory speeches and faced several legal cases.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/former-pmk-mla-and-vanniyar-heavyweight-kaduvetti-guru-passes-away-81929 |title=Former PMK MLA and Vanniyar heavyweight 'Kaduvetti' Guru passes away |publisher=The News Minute |date=2018-05-26 |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Gurunathan was born as Jayaraman Gurunathan<ref name=":0" /> on 1 February 1961<ref name="bio">{{cite web |publisher=Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly |title=Thiru. J. Guru (a) Gurunathan (PMK) |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/profile/150.htm |access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> in Kaduvetti, a small village near [[Jayankondam]] in [[Ariyalur district]], Tamil Nadu to R. Jayaraman and Kalyani. He belonged to the [[Vanniyar]] community, which is found throughout [[Tondaimandalam|Northern Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="vs">{{cite news| url = https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/may/26/veteran-pmk-leader-kaduvetti-j-guru-who-stood-for-vanniyar-pride-passes-away-in-tamil-nadu-1819659.html| title = Veteran PMK leader 'Kaduvetti' J Guru, who stood for Vanniyar pride, passes away in Tamil Nadu|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> He died on 25 May 2018, at the age of 57, in a private hospital, and is survived by a son and daughter.<ref name="death">{{cite news |work=The Hindu |title=PMK ex-MLA 'Kaduvetti' Guru dead |date=25 May 2018 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pmk-ex-mla-kaduvetti-guru-dead/article23993616.ece |access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> He had been suffering from interstitial lung disease for several months, and underwent a [[tracheotomy]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2018-05-26|title='Kaduvetti' Guru dead|language=en-IN|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kaduvetti-guru-dead/article23994936.ece|access-date=2021-11-22|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Following Guru's death, members of the Vanniyar caste were accused of attacking 100 government buses across Tamil Nadu, and of forcing shops to close due to people being injured by stones being thrown.<ref>{{cite web|last=Priya |first=Lakshmi |url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/pmk-indulges-violence-after-the-demise-j-guru-320877.html |title=பாமகவின் முன்னாள் எம்எல்ஏ ஜெ.குரு மரணம்... கடைகள் அடைப்பு.. 100 அரசு பேருந்துகள் மீது தாக்குதல் | PMK indulges in violence after the demise of J.Guru |publisher=Tamil Oneindia |date=2018-05-27 |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/bandh-like-situation-in-ariyalur/article24003240.ece| title = Bandh-like situation in Ariyalur –|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/notice-to-pmk-chief-over-damage-to-public-property-by-cadre/articleshow/65480151.cms |title=Notice to PMK chief over damage to public property by cadre | Madurai News |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref>

== Political career==
Gurunathan joined the Vanniyar Sangam caste organisation as a cadre in 1980 and rose through the ranks to become president in the early 2000s.<ref name="vs" />

Also known as Gurunathan,<ref>{{cite news |work=The Times of India |title=Defamation proceedings against 'Kaduvetti' Guru stayed |date=14 March 2014 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Defamation-proceedings-against-Kaduvetti-Guru-stayed/articleshow/31980378.cms |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref> Guru represented the [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] (PMK) party that had been formed from the Vanniyar Sangam.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Telegraph |title=Senior Ramadoss arrested |date=1 May 2013 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1130501/jsp/nation/story_16846810.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527204548/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1130501/jsp/nation/story_16846810.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2018 |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=The Times of India |title=PMK finds an ally in Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam as protests spread |date=2 May 2013 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/PMK-finds-an-ally-in-Kongunadu-Munnetra-Kazhagam-as-protests-spread/articleshow/19826531.cms |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref>

After an unsuccessful attempt to win a seat in the [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] in 1996,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Infobase |title=Tamil Nadu Assembly Election Results in 1996 |url=http://www.elections.in/tamil-nadu/assembly-constituencies/1996-election-results.html |access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> Gurunathan was elected as a PMK candidate from [[Andimadam (State Assembly Constituency)|Andimadam constituency]] in the [[2001 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|2001 elections]].<ref>[http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_2001/Stat_Rep_TN_2001.pdf 2001 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India]</ref> He lost the contest for the [[Jayankondam (State Assembly Constituency)|Jayankondam constituency]] in the [[2006 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|2006 elections]]<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Infobase |title=Tamil Nadu Assembly Election Results in 2006 |url=http://www.elections.in/tamil-nadu/assembly-constituencies/2006-election-results.html |access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref> but won the seat in the [[2011 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|2011 elections]].<ref>{{cite web|title=List of MLAs from Tamil Nadu 2011 |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/member_list.pdf |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320103427/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/member_list.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2012 }}</ref> His attempt to defend it in the [[2016 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|2016 elections]] resulted in him coming second to J. K. N. Ramajeyalingam of the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Infobase |access-date=2017-05-03 |url=http://www.elections.in/tamil-nadu/assembly-constituencies/jayankondam.html |title=Jayankondam (Tamil Nadu) Election Results}}</ref>

Comments by Gurunathan against various [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) ministers in June 2008 caused the DMK to end its alliance with the PMK, although the relationship had been difficult for some time previously.<ref name="sify"/> Guru was arrested and imprisoned on remand in July on suspicion of attempted murder.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Economic Times |agency=Press Trust of India |title=Guru arrested on charges of attempt to murder |date=5 July 2008 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/guru-arrested-on-charges-of-attempt-to-murder/articleshow/3200713.cms |access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> The PMK founder, [[S. Ramadoss]], protested the arrest, claiming it was part of a political vendetta.<ref name="sify">{{cite news|url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14709327|title=PMK leader 'Kaduvetti' Guru held|work=Sify News|date=5 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708041437/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14709327|archive-date=8 July 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The detention order, which had been made under the [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]] and upheld by the [[Madras High Court]] was revoked in November of that year, with conditions attached that included he posted bail in the two outstanding cases against him, including the alleged attempted murder, and that he desisted from making inflammatory speeches.<ref>{{cite news |title=Guru's detention under NSA revoked |date=27 November 2008 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Gurursquos-detention-under-NSA-revoked/article15349941.ece |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref>

When Guru stood in the [[Tiruvannamalai (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tiruvannamalai constituency]] in the [[2009 Indian general election|2009 general elections]], he suffered a record defeat as the DMK targeted PMK candidates after the break-up of the alliance.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1090526/jsp/opinion/story_11018017.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526193142/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1090526/jsp/opinion/story_11018017.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2018 |title=Why The Tables Could Not Be turned |date=26 May 2009 |access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref>

Kaduvetti Guru lodged a complaint to Police Commissioner in February 2012, seeking the arrest of [[Dinamalar]] editor Krishnamurthy and its publisher Lakshmipathy for publishing news insulting the [[Vanniyar]] caste and trying to create [[Caste-related violence in India|caste violence]].<ref>{{cite web|title=தினமலர் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, லட்சுமிபதி மீது போலீஸ் கமிஷனரிடம் புகார|url=https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=1667|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Dinakaran|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722165650/https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=1667|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=சாதி மோதலை தூண்ட சதி : தினமலர் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, லட்சுமிபதி மீது போலீஸ் கமிஷனரிடம் புகார|url=https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=1628|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Dinakaran.com|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722165736/https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?nid=1628|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In his controversial 2012 speech, Guru had reportedly said that in case of an inter-caste marriage, the groom should be killed. A few days after his virulent speech, [[2012 Dharmapuri violence|around 250 houses of Dalits were burnt down in Dharmapuri]] following a love marriage.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2013/apr/27/guru-at-it-again-uses-strong-words-471897.html| title = Guru at it again, uses strong words|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/quota-for-vanniars-running-theme-at-pmk-meeting/article4657961.ece| title = Quota for Vanniars running theme at PMK meeting |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Gurunathan is said to have fomented tension between Vanniyars and Dalits by publicly condemning marriages between the two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/love-and-violence-in-dharmapuri/1035856/0 |title=Love and violence in Dharmapuri|newspaper=The Indian Express |date=2012-11-25 |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref> J Guru, allegedly called upon the community to “chop off the limbs” of anyone who falls in love with Vanniyar women.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theswaddle.com/the-outrage-towards-jai-bhim-shows-the-importance-of-telling-uncomfortable-stories/ |title=The Outrage Towards 'Jai Bhim' Shows Why It's Important To Tell Uncomfortable Stories |publisher=The Swaddle |date=2021-11-18 |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref>

== Legal issues ==
Guru was acquitted in the 2008 attempted murder case in 2010 due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite news |work=Zee News |agency=Press Trust of India |title=PMK leader Guru acquitted in 'attempt to murder' case |date=29 December 2010 |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/pmk-leader-guru-acquitted-in-attempt-to-murder-case_677449.html |access-date=27 May 2018}}</ref> At the time of the 2011 state assembly elections, Guru and [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] candidate [[M. Muruganandam]] were noted as having the most outstanding cases of all the candidates, with nine each. Guru — whose cases mostly related to allegations of attempted murder, damage to public property and speeches inciting racial hatred — protested that he had never lost a case and has a clear conscience.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/assembly-elections-2011/tamil-nadu/Kaduvetti-Guru-BJP-man-have-most-cases-against-them/articleshow/7869967.cms |access-date=2017-05-03 |title=Kaduvetti Guru, BJP man have most cases against them |first1=B. |last1=Sivakumar |first2=K. |last2=Ramanujam |date=5 April 2011}}</ref>

There were further legal problems in 2012, when he was cited under the [[Indian Penal Code]] by the police for unlawful assembly and riot in relation to a speech he allegedly delivered at [[Thazhambur]], [[Kancheepuram district]]. Furthermore, a speech at the [[Chithirai]] festival in [[Mamallapuram]] resulted in his 2013 arrest under the [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |work=The Hindu |title=PMK leader 'Kaduvetti' Guru detained under NSA |agency=Press Trust of India |date=10 May 2013 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pmk-leader-kaduvetti-guru-detained-under-nsa/article4702848.ece |access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref>

At the time of the 2016 state assembly elections, there were 18 police cases pending against Guru, of which charges had been pressed in six. This was the greatest number filed against any candidate, with the combined total for all candidates being 324.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections-2016/tamil-nadu-elections-2016/news/At-324-no-of-TN-candidates-with-criminal-cases-doubles/articleshow/52215338.cms |title=At 324, no. of TN candidates with criminal cases doubles |last=Sivakumar |first=B. |date=11 May 2016 |access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref>

== Controversy over death ==
In March 2019, Kaduvetti Guru's son, Kanalarasan, his sister and his mother had a press conference. The family claimed that Guru's death was not natural; Gurunathan was being held as a circumstantial prisoner and was seen as an obstacle to the growth of [[Anbumani Ramadoss|Anbumani]]. Guru's mother said her son could have been saved if he had been treated properly. The family said that the PMK high command claimed he would die and does not need treatment and said that the family was not permitted to accompany Gurunathan for treatment by the PMK high command and also said that the PMK high command wanted Kaduvetti Gurunathan dead for 30 years. They also said that the [[Vanniyar]] community would give a befitting reply to PMK.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019-03-10|title=குருவின் மரணம் இயற்கையானது அல்ல: அன்புமணியின் வளர்ச்சிக்கு குரு தடையாக இருப்பதாக கருதினார்கள்: குரு மகன் பேட்டி|url=https://www.nakkheeran.in/24-by-7-news/politics/pmk-guru|access-date=2021-05-03|website=nakkheeran|language=en}}</ref><ref name="puthiyathalaimurai.com">{{cite web|title='காடுவெட்டி குரு மரணம் இயற்கையானதல்ல': பாமக மீது சரமாரியாக புகார்|url=http://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/newsview/44072/Kaaduvetti-Guru-family-accuses-PMK|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Puthiyathalaimurai.com|language=ta}}</ref>

His son Kanalarasan claimed that his family has been targeted by thugs after his sister married against the wishes of party founder [[S. Ramadoss|S Ramadoss]]. He said that his sister was married hastily because a group of people planned to kidnap and rape her and force her to marry a relative of S. Ramadoss.<ref>{{cite news|date=2018-12-02|title=Kaduvetti Guru's daughter, son-in-law seek protection|language=en-IN|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/kaduvetti-gurus-daughter-son-in-law-seek-protection/article25645209.ece|access-date=2021-05-03|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="puthiyathalaimurai.com"/> He claims that they do not allow them to live peacefully and are attempting to drive them out of their house. He also claims that bribe has been offered to the family in order to keep them silent.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaduvetti Guru's wife is IJK candidate for Jayankondam|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/mar/17/kaduvetti-gurus-wife-is-ijk-candidate-for-jayankondam-2277613.html|access-date=2021-05-03|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>

In May 2020, PMK functionaries, attacked the son, son in law and relatives of J Guru with lethal weapons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vikatan.com/news/crime/kaduvetti-gurus-son-kanalarasan-files-police-complaint-over-alleged-attack|title='நீங்க அரசியலுக்கு வரணுமானு கேட்டு தாக்குனாங்க!'-காடுவெட்டி குரு மகன், மருமகனுக்கு அரிவாள் வெட்டு|website=Vikatan.com/|access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
“Maaveeran J Guru Vanniyar Sangam" was formed in February 2019 and said it will oppose Anbumani Ramadoss in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The blatant sidelining and humiliation and harassment of family members of Guru, who till his demise was the president has led to this situation, declared Vengai Ayyanar, the coordinator.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/170219/vanniyar-sangam-splits-kaduvetti-gurus-mom-to-fight-anbumani.html |title=Vanniyar Sangam splits, Kaduvetti guru's mom to fight Anbumani |website=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=2022-02-16}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (2011-2016)|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guru, Kaduvetti}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:Pattali Makkal Katchi politicians]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 2011–2016]]
[[Category:People from Ariyalur district]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 2001–2006]]
[[Category:Indian prisoners and detainees]]

Kaduvetti Guru - Revision history

2409:40F4:101E:604B:948C:2FFF:FE30:D11A at 22:15, 25 September 2025