Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday announced the establishment of a new university in Kumbakonam named after former Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, acknowledging his lifelong contribution to the field of education.

The announcement was made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly following demands raised by several parties, including the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). Participating in the discussion, PMK legislator G K Mani pointed out that while universities have been named after leaders such as K Kamaraj, M G Ramachandran (MGR), and J Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu — and after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi at the national level — no institution bore the name of Karunanidhi, despite his extensive efforts toward the upliftment of education.

Responding to the suggestion, CM Stalin said the government would honour Karunanidhi's legacy by establishing a university in his name at Kumbakonam, a town in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district with deep historical and cultural significance.

“He was a leader who transformed the educational landscape of Tamil Nadu. It is only fitting that a university be named after him,” Stalin said during his address in the House.

The Chief Minister underscored Karunanidhi's pivotal role in championing education reforms, expanding access to schooling, and establishing institutions that benefited generations of students from all sections of society.

Further details regarding the structure, funding, and timeline for the university's establishment are expected to be announced soon. The decision marks a symbolic recognition of Karunanidhi's enduring impact on Tamil Nadu's educational and social development.