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Stalin, Modi Pay Tribute on Thiruvalluvar Day Amid Tamil Culture Debate

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin offered floral tributes to poet Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day, observed in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage, urging people to read the Tirukkural. Meanwhile, DMK Minister TRB Rajaa engaged in a spat with the BJP, criticizing the central government for a lack of genuine understanding of Tamil culture. The minister highlighted a calendar discrepancy, arguing that local traditions, not fixed English dates, should determine festival observance.

Key Points: Thiruvalluvar Day: Stalin, Modi Tributes & Tamil Culture Row

  • Leaders honor Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar
  • Rajaa criticizes BJP's understanding of Tamil culture
  • Dispute over festival dates highlights cultural divide
  • Political tension between DMK and BJP surfaces
2 min read

CM MK Stalin offers floral tribute to Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day

CM MK Stalin and PM Modi honor poet Thiruvalluvar. DMK minister TRB Rajaa criticizes BJP's understanding of Tamil culture in a political spat.

"Tamil does not need ceremonial praise. It asks for knowledge and understanding. - Minister TRB Rajaa"

Chennai, January 16

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin offered floral tributes to the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day on Friday.

The day, observed on January 16 (on Leap Year as per Tamil Calendar) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, commemorates Thiruvalluvar's contribution to Tamil literature and philosophy.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the famous Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day. In his post on X, PM Modi, said, "Today, on Thiruvalluvar Day, paying homage to the versatile Thiruvalluvar, whose works and ideals inspire innumerable people. He believed in a society that is harmonious and compassionate. He personifies the best of Tamil culture. I urge you all to read the Tirukkural, which gives a glimpse of the outstanding intellect of the great Thiruvalluvar."

Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, Minister TRB Rajaa on Thursday urged the central government to start with "understanding" Tamil culture instead of simply giving "ceremonial praise". His response came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended Thiruvalluvar Day greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu. Rajaa, a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a "fundamental issue" of not understanding Tamils and not making the effort to understand what they need or who they are.

"Tamil does not need ceremonial praise. It asks for knowledge and understanding. And Delhi should try to start with that. Happy Pongal to Hon HM and everyone in Delhi and am sure you can see that you can't trust your local unit or your partner's here for info on Tamils and to actually show what Tamils are in their full complex and astounding glory," he responded to Shah on X.

He said that according to the local tradition, Pongal is to be celebrated on 'Thai 1', which is today, whereas Thiruvalluvar day is 'Thai 2', which is supposed to be on Friday. "When people ask me about the BJP and Tamil Nadu, I often point out that the fundamental issue is that the BJP simply does not understand Tamils and Tamil Nadu, and it doesn't even take the effort to understand what we need and what we are! In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is Thai 1. Thiruvalluvar Day is Thai 2. Our calendar follows the sun and the soil, not fixed English dates," the post read.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
While it's good that PM Modi also paid tribute, Minister Rajaa has a point. There's often a gap between ceremonial praise from Delhi and genuine understanding of Tamil culture and its nuances. The calendar point is a perfect example.
A
Aryan P
As a Tamilian living outside TN, I feel proud when our culture is recognized. But I agree, understanding is more important than just greetings. The Tirukkural is for all humanity, not just for one day of tribute.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to learn about this. As someone from the US, I had never heard of Thiruvalluvar. The PM's suggestion to read the Tirukkural is a good one. Every culture has such profound thinkers we should all learn from.
K
Karthik V
The political back-and-forth is unfortunate. Can we not just appreciate the philosophy for a day? Valluvar's words on governance and duty are what our leaders should focus on implementing, rather than arguing over dates.
M
Meera T
"Our calendar follows the sun and the soil" – this line resonates so much. There is a deep, organic connection to our land and traditions that often gets lost in translation. Happy Pongal and Thiruvalluvar Day to all celebrating! 🌾

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