Leaders of various political parties paid glowing tributes to freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar and pledged to carry forward the principles of the late leader and work for communal harmony.
In a brief chat with reporters after paying homage at his memorial here on Friday, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M.K. Stalin said that the late leader had great love for Tamil language and was closely associated with national leaders in the freedom struggle. He always had a soft corner for the downtrodden and firmly believed that there would be no need for levying direct taxes if the administration was made transparent and corruption-free.
He had worked for the welfare of all communities and wanted all sections of the society to live in harmony.
Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, who had been visiting the memorial for more than four decades since 1974, said that Thevar was closely associated with freedom fighter Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and had lent support to his Indian National Army (INA). When reports suggested that Netaji had died in a plane crash in August 1945, Thevar had said he was alive. People had mocked at him at that time “but now he is proved right,” Mr. Vaiko said. He wanted the Centre to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Netaji.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president EVKS Elangovan said that Thevar had pursued a clean and honest life in his political career, setting an example to the present day politicians.
He had donated his properties for the uplift of the poor, downtrodden and Dalits, the Congress leader said.
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader S. Ramadoss said that the late leader had fought for the temple entry of Dalits and had treated nationalism and spiritualism as his two eyes.
He urged the authorities to name the Madurai international airport after the late leader. This would be a fitting tribute to him, he added.
Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) leader GK Vasan said that Thevar had always believed in communal harmony and urged the younger generation to bury their caste and communal differences and work for the overall development of the country.
