"Requested HM to confer Bharat Ratna on him": AIADMK's Palaniswami pays tribute to Muthuramalinga Thevar

Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 30 (ANI): AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday paid tribute to freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at his memorial in Pasumpon on his 63rd guru pooja (death anniversary) and 118th birth anniversary.
Speaking to reporters, Palaniswami said that the AIADMK has requested the Union Home Minister to confer the Bharat Ratna award to Muthuramalinga Thevar.
"The Devar Jayanthi celebration was declared a government function by former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (M.G.R). It was Jayalalithaa who installed the portrait of Muthuramalinga Devar in the State Assembly complex. Jayalalithaa also presented a 13-kilogram golden armour to the deity. On behalf of the AIADMK, we have requested the Union Home Minister to confer the Bharat Ratna award on Muthuramalinga Thevar," the AIADMK leader asserted.
Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar was born on October 30, 1908, in Pasumpon in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. He was a freedom-fighter cum spiritual leader and was seen as a deity among the Mukulathor community, according to amritmahotsav.nic.in under the Ministry of Culture.
The people of the Mukulathor community still make offerings as is done for the deities in temples to the statue on his birthday and guru pooja celebrations. Thevar became a full-time member of the Congress party and attended the 1927 Congress session at Madras as a volunteer when he was just 19. He became a close aide of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Netaji introduced Thevar to his mother as his younger sibling, the statement on the website said.
Earlier today, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan paid tribute to freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at his memorial in Pasumpon on 63rd guru pooja (his death anniversary) and 118th birth anniversary.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also paid homage to the freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at his memorial in Pasumpon.
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Stalin highlighted the works done by his government and said that they will recommend Muthuramalinga Thevar's name for the Bharat Ratna award.
CM Stalin stated, "We have paid our respects at the memorial of Muthuramalinga Thevar, who dedicated himself to the freedom of our nation. I would like to recall what Perarignar Anna said about the greatness of Muthuramalinga Thevar. He praised Thevar as a noble Pandya king who embodied virtue, unity, and courage...During the centenary celebration, Rs 2 crores were spent exclusively for Pasumpon village. To prevent overcrowding during the Thevar Jayanthi celebrations, we have inaugurated the Thevar Hall at a cost of Rs 1.55 crores. Muthuramalinga Thevar will be recommended for the Bharat Ratna award. A marriage hall in his name will be built at a cost of Rs 3 crores. We will also pursue efforts related to the Cauvery Gundar river linkage project." (ANI)