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After paying homage to the statue of Muthuramalinga Thevar at his memorial in Pasumpon near Kamuthi on the occasion of the 118th Thevar Jayanthi and the 63rd Guru Pooja festival on Thursday (October 30, 2025), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the government would fulfil the public’s demand to construct a marriage hall at the location at a cost of ₹3 crore. Speaking to journalists, he listed the various initiatives undertaken by the previous DMK governments led by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. “In 1969, following Karunanidhi’s visit to Pasumpon to inspect the arrangements, work commenced, and the construction of the mani mandapam was completed in 1974.” He further recalled that Karunanidhi had taken steps to rename the Andalpuram bridge in Madurai after Muthuramalinga Thevar and to establish a ₹25-lakh endowment in his name at Alagappa University. “His [Karunanidhi’s] effort to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary in 2007 is well known. In addition, he took steps to renovate the ancestral home of Muthuramalinga Thevar and to establish a library, a museum, and various other facilities,” he noted. Mr. Stalin recalled that Karunanidhi had granted permission and land for the Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar College at Kamuthi, which was established by the Thevar Educational Trust. “At a time when various communities were striving to establish educational institutions to support their children’s learning, Karunanidhi ensured that they received permission and all necessary support,” he said. As the college was ill-managed for several years, Mr. Stalin stated, “the DMK, after assuming office in 2021, took prompt steps to bring the management under government supervision.” He recalled the words of Karunanidhi on Thevar, and said, “Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar was born brave, and he lived bravely. Even after his demise, he is portrayed as a symbol of bravery.” Answering a question on former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswamy’s endorsement of Bharat Ratna for Muthuramalinga Thevar, Mr. Stalin said he too would support the demand. Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Stalin along with his Council of Ministers garlanded the statue of Muthuramalainga Thevar at Goripalayam. Ministers and MP Kanimozhi were among those who paid tribute to the statue. Mr. Stalin also paid homage to the statues of Marudhu Brothers, located at Theppakulam in Madurai city.
