Hours after the M. Karunanidhi-led DMK government was dismissed during the Emergency on January 31, 1976, police arrived at his Gopalapuram residence. They were looking for his 23-year-old son, M.K. Stalin — now the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Mr. Stalin was in Maduranthakam at the time and returned the following day. Karunanidhi asked him to “be prepared.”
Mr. Stalin was soon arrested and lodged in the Madras Central Prison, where he spent several months in custody. He was released, along with other political prisoners, after the Emergency was lifted on March 21, 1977.
