The demand for conferring the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, on freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar gained significant traction on October 30, 2025, coinciding with his 118th birth anniversary and 63rd Guru Pooja, as political leaders from diverse parties united in support during tributes at his memorial in Pasumpon village.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, addressing a press conference after paying floral respects alongside Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, affirmed that the Tamil Nadu government would fully endorse the recommendation, responding directly to a recent letter from AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging the award for Thevar. MDMK general secretary Vaiko echoed the sentiment, while Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran highlighted that honouring Thevar with the Bharat Ratna was a key pledge in his party's manifesto, underscoring a rare cross-party consensus amid Tamil Nadu's often polarised political landscape. The event drew thousands of devotees and drew attention to Thevar's enduring legacy as a champion of social justice and regional identity.

Stalin used the occasion to reflect on Thevar's profound contributions to India's independence struggle and his role as a pioneering leader of the All India Forward Bloc, quoting former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, who once described him as "a majestic leader who embodied the valour of the ancient Pandiya kings." The Chief Minister also invoked the historical ties between Thevar and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), noting that it was late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi who first visited the memorial in 1969 and transformed it into a grand manimandapam in 1974, even inviting then-President V.V. Giri to unveil Thevar's statue in Madurai. Born in 1906 in Pasumpon, Thevar emerged as a fierce advocate for the rights of backward communities, particularly the Thevar community in southern Tamil Nadu, while clashing with colonial authorities during the Quit India Movement and championing land reforms and anti-caste discrimination efforts that resonated deeply in the region's agrarian society. His passing in 1963 prompted an outpouring of grief from national leaders, further cementing his status as a unifying icon.

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In a gesture of continued homage, Stalin announced several development initiatives at the memorial site, including the construction of an Rs 3 crore marriage hall to benefit local communities and alleviate overcrowding during annual celebrations, alongside prior investments exceeding Rs 2.5 crore for enhancements like an eternal flame, library, exhibition hall, and renovation of Thevar's ancestral home. He also referenced the establishment of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar College in Melaneelithanallur and the naming of a flyover in Andalpuram after the leader, illustrating the state government's commitment to preserving his memory through tangible infrastructure. These announcements, made amid a sea of garlands and chants, not only honoured Thevar's 63rd death anniversary but also addressed longstanding local demands, such as forming an administrative committee for the Kamuthi Thevar College, which Stalin promised to resolve promptly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the tributes virtually, lauding Thevar's "unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the welfare of the poor," adding a national dimension to the commemorations.

This bipartisan push for the Bharat Ratna, last conferred on figures like L.K. Advani and Karpoori Thakur in 2024, highlights Thevar's multifaceted legacy that transcends party lines, from his Forward Bloc activism to his influence on Tamil Nadu's social fabric. While the award's decision rests with the central government, Stalin's endorsement signals potential momentum, potentially bridging regional divides in a state where Thevar's ideals continue to inspire movements for equity and empowerment. As celebrations extended across Madurai, Ramanathapuram, and other southern districts, the renewed call serves as a reminder of Thevar's role in weaving threads of courage and compassion into India's post-independence narrative, with observers anticipating whether this unified advocacy will culminate in posthumous recognition for the iconic leader.

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