EPS Pushes for Bharat Ratna for Muthuramalinga Thevar After Meeting Amit Shah

AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has once again turned the spotlight on Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, a legendary figure in Tamil Nadu's political and social history. In a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, EPS submitted a petition urging that India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, be awarded to Thevar.

Taking to X after the meeting, EPS wrote: "On behalf of @AIADMKOfficial, I strongly urged that the highest award of the Indian nation, #BharatRatna, be conferred upon the divine son Pasumppon Aiya U. Muthuramalingam Thevar, who struggled for national liberation."

The meeting itself lasted about half an hour - 20 minutes in discussion and another 10 minutes in private conversation. Political observers note that beyond the petition, EPS also reportedly asked Shah to avoid entertaining expelled AIADMK members or those attempting to push a "party unification" narrative.

Remembering Thevar

Born in 1908, Muthuramalinga Thevar was not only a freedom fighter but also a reformist voice. A close associate of Subhas Chandra Bose, he rose through the ranks of the All India Forward Bloc. His efforts were instrumental in the Temple Entry Movement of 1939, which opened temple doors to Dalits, and the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act in 1946, which restored dignity to many marginalized groups.

Thevar's influence endures, particularly among the Mukkulathor community, comprising Kallars, Maravars, and Agamudaiyars. Every year on October 30, his birth anniversary is observed as Thevar Jayanthi. Colleges, memorials, and institutions across Tamil Nadu stand testimony to his lasting legacy.

EPS's move to push for a Bharat Ratna is as much about recognising Thevar's role in the freedom struggle as it is about reaffirming his relevance in contemporary Tamil Nadu politics.