CPI(M) wants Vallalar’s house converted into memorial

Vallalar Illam on Veerasamy Street at Seven Wells in Chennai. Photo: K. Pichumani

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) whip in the Assembly, K. Balakrishnan, on Monday urged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to convert into a memorial the house in North Chennai where Saint Ramalinga Vallalar had lived for 33 years.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Balakrishnan said Vallalar lived on Veerasamy Street (house number 31) in the Seven Wells area since he was two years old.

During the earlier AIADMK regime, the then Tamil Development Minister, S. Semmalai, announced the conversion of the house into a memorial. “While other announcements have been implemented, the memorial is yet to become a reality. So, the government should take immediate steps to convert Vallalar’s house into a memorial,” he said.