All roads led to Pasumpon village in Ramanathapuram to pay tribute to one of the nationalist and spiritualist leader Muthuramanligan Thevar, on his jayanti. While the BJP leaders received an overwhelming reception from the community, AIADMK leader Edapadai K Palaniswamy faced stiff opposition from the Thevar community, and someone hurled a slipper at his convoy. In a video, it can be heard—the crowd shouting, “traitor Edapadi, go back go back
Speaking at a function in Trichy, Governor RN Ravi criticised the inadequate recognition of freedom fighters in Tamil Nadu. He remarked that those who once collaborated with the British to quell the national movement now shy away from acknowledging the national freedom movement and its warriors. Ravi expressed disappointment that many Tamil freedom fighters have been omitted from historical narratives and suggested that Dravidian parties have played a role in falsifying history.
Muthuramalinga Thevar, a prominent nationalist and spiritual leader, played a pivotal role in mobilising support for the Indian National Army (INA). He motivated thousands of men and women from southern districts of Tamil Nadu to join the INA and even launched the Tamil Weekly “Nethaji” to inspire youth involvement. Thevar’s cordial relationship with RSS leaders, despite strong opposition to the organisation from other Tamil leaders, is noteworthy. He allowed Guruji Golwalkar to address the masses in Tamil Nadu in 1956, emphasising his commitment to nationalism and spirituality.
This year, large numbers of youngsters and BJP supporters participated in the Jayanti celebrations, paying their respects to Muthuramalinga Thevar, whom they hold in high regard as a revered leader. The event served as a platform for commemorating his legacy and the vital role he played in Tamil Nadu’s nationalist movement.
TNBJP Chief Annamalai visited the life-size statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar in Madurai, along with Goa Chief Minister Pramod P Sawant. Annamalai shared pictures of garlanding the statue and said, “Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar fought for national and social liberation. He was a generous person who donated his wealth to the poor. He led the temple entry protest so that people of all castes could enter temples. We praise the glory of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.”
Taking to X handle, Annamalai said “ On behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu , delighted to welcome Hon CM of Goa, Thiru @DrPramodPSawant avl, on his arrival at Madurai to participate in Deivathirumaganar Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Devar avl’s Guru Poojai in Pasumpon today”.
On behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu, delighted to welcome Hon CM of Goa, Thiru @DrPramodPSawant avl, on his arrival at Madurai to participate in Deivathirumaganar Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Devar avl’s Guru Poojai in Pasumpon today. pic.twitter.com/NhaiPpS1pa
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) October 30, 2023
Pasumpon U Muthuramalinga Thevar, a prominent leader, left a lasting impact on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. He was known for his fearless opposition, which sent members of the Justice Party packing with their tails between their legs. For the Dravidian parties, Thevar remained persona non grata. A significant shift in the Thevar community’s political allegiance began during the era of AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran (MGR).
Over the years, AIADMK, under leaders like O Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala, managed to secure a substantial portion of Thevar community votes. This trend, initiated during MGR’s leadership, continues to play a pivotal role in Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics. The Thevar community, dominant in the region, can influence the outcome of nine Lok Sabha seats across nine southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Consequently, political parties are intensifying their efforts to win over this influential community in anticipation of the 2024 elections.
Leaders from various political parties flocked to Pasumpon village this year to partake in the 91st Guru Pooja and commemorate the 116th birth anniversary of Muthuramalinga Thevar.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, accompanied by ministers and senior DMK leaders, paid his respects by offering floral tributes at a life-size statue of the freedom fighter near Goripalayam in Madurai. However, controversy surrounds the Chief Minister’s visit, as critics allege that he refrained from accepting the deeparadhana/aarti offered to Thevar’s idol and did not apply vibhuti (sacred ash) prasadam on his forehead during his visit to the Thevar temple in Pasumpon.
தீபாராதனையை வணங்கவில்லை
திருநீர் எடுக்கவில்லை. எதற்காக பசும்பொன் சென்றார் முதல்வர் ?
சுண்டலும் சர்க்கரை பொங்கலும் தருவார்கள் என எதிர்பார்த்தா ?எல்லாம் 2024 தேர்தல் படுத்தும் பாடு.#தேசமும்_தெய்வீகமும் pic.twitter.com/KdstsxruUL
— Selva Kumar (@Selvakumar_IN) October 30, 2023
Netison Vishwatma took social media handle X to say that CM Stalin did speak anything about the leader but talked his father and others.
Visits Deivathirumaganar Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Devar avl’s Guru Poojai and
talks about DMK & Annadurai for 1 min,
talks about Dravida model for 1 min,
talks about Karunanithi for 4+ mins,
but has nothing to say about the great selfless national leader Pasumpon Muthuramalinga… pic.twitter.com/G8SuTFCdUx— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) October 30, 2023
In 2020, when Stalin was the DMK President, he faced backlash after a video circulated of him wiping off the ‘vibudhi prasadam‘from his hands without applying it on his forehead during a visit to the Muthuramalinga Thevar Temple in Pasumpon on Thevar Jayanthi. Stalin’s act, seen as a display of his “rationalist beliefs”, drew criticism from the Thevar community and others who saw it as disrespect towards their traditions.
The dmk leader insulted the great man of our country, the golden god Thevar. Anti Hindu stalin#தேவரை_அவமதித்த_ஸ்டாலின் https://t.co/V3TvYHLViG
— Ghanesh (@Ghanesh1) October 31, 2020
Edapadi K. Palaniswamy, who had skipped attending the event for the past two years, came today came with his supporters. But the people shouted “Traitor Edapadi go back” continuously, and the police escorted him out safely. Someone in the crowd hurled a slipper at his convoy. Hash tag “Nationalist leader Thevar” was trending in X platform which has gone viral.
Former AIADMK co-ordinator O Panneerselvam (OPS) also visited the statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar in Madurai to pay his tributes. Other political leaders who paid their tributes to Muthuramalinga Thevar include former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, founder of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) TTV Dhinakaran, VK Sasikala, and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) treasurer Premalatha Vijayakant, among others.
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