Political leaders pay homage to Perumpidugu Mutharaiyar
A steady stream of visitors from various political parties, organisations and youth groups from Tiruchi and neighbouring districts gathered near the Mutharaiyar statue on Bharathidasan Salai to offer floral tributes.
Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin led the party's delegation, accompanied by Ministers K.N. Nehru (Municipal Administration), S. Regupathy (Law), and Siva V. Meyyanathan (Backward Classes Welfare). Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi paid his respects earlier in the day.
From the BJP, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, and State President Nainar Nagendran also paid their respects along withformer Minister Natham R Viswanathan from the AIADMK, and AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran and visited the memorial complex near the Central Bus Stand. Addressing the media, Mr. Murugan said a memorial for Mutharaiyar would be constructed at a location worthy of his legacy once the National Democratic Alliance forms government in Tamil Nadu. He also announced that the Centre would release a commemorative postal stamp next year in Mutharaiyar's honour.
Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam general secretary N.Anand were also among those who paid homage.
Traffic snarls were reported across several parts of the city, including, Head Post Office junction, Bharathidasan Salai, TVS Tollgate, Sanjeevi Nagar, Cauvery Bridge, Chathiram Bus Stand, and Ponmalai G Corner as a large number of people converged in the city for the occasion.
More than 1,200 police personnel were deployed for security. As per the order of District Collector M. Pradeep Kumar, 26 TASMAC liquor outlets and three recreation clubs in and around the city were closed until 6 p.m. to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, Mutharaiyar Ezhuchi Sangam, has welcomed the Union government's decision to conduct a caste-based census. In a press statement, the organisation's honorary president, S. Pannerselvam, urged the government to hold prior consultations with caste-based organisations, citing complexities in classification. He alleged that the State government was issuing caste certificates to Mutharaiyars under various names and demanded that they be issued under the Denotified Tribes (DNT) category. He further urged that DNTs, who currently fall under the Most Backward Classes (MBC) category, be given a separate reservation quota based on their population.
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