Thevar Jayanthi was celebrated with much pomp on Monday across Madurai, Ramanathapuram and other districts. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin paid homage to Muthuramalinga Thevar at the Muthuramalinga Thevar Memorial in Pasumpon village, Ramanathapuram, and the Thevar statue in Goripalayam, Madurai.
October 30 was the 116th birth anniversary and 61st guru pooja festival of freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar. The occasion saw many processions in honour of the freedom fighters in numerous districts as well as events. Due to the large crowds, security was increased across some districts. Ramanathapuram district saw 12,000 policemen deployed on Monday.
After paying floral tributes to Muthuramalinga Thevar, Stalin spoke about the freedom fighter’s achievements and how his father, Kalaignar Karunanidhi, had also spoken highly of him. At Ramanathapuram, Stalin said that a permanent platform and mandapam would be erected for the Thevar statue.
“Two mandapams will be established for Rs 1.55 crore,” said the CM to reporters. These new infrastructure facilities would prevent overcrowding and congestion at the memorial.
According to a press release issued by the TN CM in Madurai, a flyover, grade separator and high-level flyover will be constructed at various places to solve the traffic congestion in Madurai. The Madurai – Thondi Road (SH 33) was an important state highway in the district and a two-lane service was being planned on both sides of the road and stormwater drains would also be constructed. This and other works will be carried out by the government at Rs 150.2 crores in Madurai.
Leaders of various political parties paid their reverence to the Thevar statue. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, who garlanded the statue, said that Thevar inspired him to enter politics. “In Madurai, Thevar was instrumental in facilitating the entry of the so-called untouchables into temples, and he is a leader who is beyond caste identity,” Vaiko said.
Other political leaders in the state, including AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, paid tribute to Muthuramalinga Thevar. Leaders including K Annamalai, Sasikala, and O Panneerselvam also visited Goripalayam at Madurai.