Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday released a Rs 100 coin on the birth centenary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) patriarch M Karunanidhi with Chief Minister MK Stalin in attendance.
While releasing Karunanidhi’s Centenary year coin, the defence minister called him a “titan” of Indian politics.
“Karunanidhi is one of the most revered leaders of our country. A man whose influence extended far beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu. Karunanidhi was a titan of Indian politics, a cultural stalwart and a relentless advocate of social justice,” Rajnath Singh said.
The Dravidian champion’s political journey is a story of resilience, determination and deep-rooted connection with the people. His tenure as a five-time chief minister is marked by his remarkable ability to address the needs of the common people, the senior BJP leader added.
Sindh noted that Karunanidhi, addressed as ‘Kalaignar’ by his followers, understood that the strength of Indian democracy lies in its ability to accommodate diverse voices and identities.
“His participation in national politics, his role in coalition government and his interactions with leaders across the political spectrum reflected his commitment to the idea of India,” he added.
Earlier, defence minister Singh and DMK president Stalin paid floral tributes at Karunanidhi’s memorial at the Marina beach in Chennai, accompanied by several big DMK and BJP leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi extended their greetings on the occasion.
PM Modi said Karunanidhi “was a towering figure in Indian politics, literature and society. He was always passionate about the development of Tamil Nadu, as well as national progress”.
Whereas the Congress leader said that Karunanidhi’s socially progressive vision and unwavering dedication to empowering people paved the way for millions to live a life of dignity.
“It is apt for Defence Minister to have come here to release the coin. I thank the Union Government, PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh”, Karunanidhi’s son Mk Stalin said at the coin unveiling ceremony on Sunday.
With inputs from PTI
Source Agencies
