CM administers pledge on 1st Social Justice Day
The Tamil Nadu government on Friday celebrated its first ever Social Justice Day on the occasion of the 142nd birth anniversary of social reformer Periyar.
Chief Minister MK Stalin paid floral tributes to Periyar’s portrait kept in front of the Fort St.George campus and administered the social justice pledge with government staff. Stalin also administered the pledge to party MLAs, MPs and Ministers at Anna Arivalayam later.
“On the birth anniversary of Periyar who was born to serve the Tamil community, I took the social justice pledge. Numerous people in the State took a pledge along with me. Our journey towards equality will continue. It will win,” said Stalin, in a tweet. In a glowing eulogy, the CM said that Periyar had sowed the seeds of social justice in people’s forum, courts, Assembly, Parliament and because of his birth, Tamil Nadu has its head held high.
Leaders of many parties including former CM Edappadi K Palaniswami, PMK Founder S Ramadoss, DMDK leaders Premalatha and L K Sudhish paid respects to Periyar. However, Naam Tamilar leader Seeman avoided wishing Periyar and instead paid respect to poet Thiru V Kalyanasundanar on his 68th death anniversary.
TIRUCHY: Government officials, political parties and members of Periyarist organisations observed the 143rd birth anniversary of EVR Periyar as Social Justice Day across the region by garlanding his statue and taking oath to uphold social justice on Friday.
As the birth anniversary of the reformist leader was declared as the Social Justice Day by the State government, Tiruchy Collector S Sivarasu administered the Social Justice Day oath to officials while the city police Commissioner A Arun administered the oath to police personnel and Corporation Commissioner PMN Mujibur Rehman administered oath to Corporation employees.
Members of various political parties, including AIADMK and
DMK, paid respects to the statue of Periyar near Central bus stand and Tiruverumbur, and garlanded it. They also took the oath to uphold social justice.
Meanwhile, some members of Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam who had come to garland the Periyar statue at Central bus stand in Tiruchy recited rational songs and songs about Periyar, and garlanded the statue. Then then served beef fry among themselves and the public.
Members of EVR Government College alumni association led by Rajya Sabha member Tiruchy N Siva gathered at the college and garlanded the Periyar statue which they had erected by the fund of the association. They also took the social justice pledge.
Similar celebrations were held across the districts.