10 Ministers led by O. Paneerselvam; Stalin and Vaiko pay respects at memorial at Pasumpon
The 104th birth anniversary celebrations and the 49th guru puja of Muthuramalinga Thevar passed off peacefully amid unprecedented security arrangements in the district on Sunday.
No untoward incidents were reported at Paramakudi, where in police firing six Dalits had lost their lives during the Immanuel Sekaran guru puja recently.
Tight security was in place at all sensitive locations and Dalit-dominated areas.
Hundreds of followers of Thevar, including women and children, thronged the memorial at Pasumpon near Kamudhi. On behalf of the government and AIADMK, as many as 10 Ministers led by Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam visited the memorial and placed a wreath on the “samadhi.”
“Special abishekam and pujas were performed” when the Ministers paid their homage. Arun Roy, Collector, represented the district administration.
M.K. Stalin, former Deputy Chief Minister and treasurer of the DMK, paid respects at the Thevar memorial on behalf of the party. He was accompanied by party functionaries. In a brief chat with reporters, he said he had been visiting the memorial regularly regardless of the DMK was in power or not.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko placed a wreath on the samadhi. The Congress was represented by former minister S. Thirunavukarasar. S. Sethuraman of the Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam was among the leaders of various organisations who paid their respects. The police had a tough time controlling the crowd at the memorial. Several followers offered “mudi kanikkai” (tonsuring their heads).
