CM Stalin vows to protect Tamil, Tamil Nadu in his birthday message

Chennai, Mar 1 (PTI) On the occasion of his 73rd birthday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday asserted that his life’s mission remains the protection of the Tamil language and the state’s interests, pledging to dedicate himself further to defeating "conspiracies".

"We must all unite and defeat the conspiracies that surround us through our intellectual strength. For this, I will dedicate myself even more fully," wrote the Chief Minister in a social media post.

The DMK chief reflected on his decades-long political journey, stating he has known "nothing other than hard work" from his youth to his current milestone.

The Chief Minister highlighted the success of the "Dravidian Model" of governance, claiming it has transformed Tamil Nadu into a leading state that the "world looks back at." "The schemes and achievements of the Dravidian Model rule have reached the hearts and homes of every single person among the crores of people in Tamil Nadu," Stalin said. He added that the state now stands as a beacon for the rest of the country, ensuring that Tamils live with "heads held high".

Stalin also called for unity among the Tamil people to protect their ideological journey.

"Our feet must not deviate from the path; our heads must not bow to anyone for any reason," he declared.

Defining his 73rd birthday as a moment of rededication, the CM took a formal pledge to continue the legacy of Dravidian icons.

"Let us travel together with a warrior spirit on the path shown by Thanthai Periyar, Perarignar Anna, and Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi)," he urged.

He also emphasised that a "Tamil Nadu that struggles is the Tamil Nadu that advances", signalling a continued confrontational stance against policies he deems detrimental to the state’s autonomy.

He titled the post with a line, saying, "Tamil and Tamil Nadu are our life, and it is our duty to save them".

Meanwhile, President of Trained Priests Students Association of Tamil Nadu, V Ranganathan, credited Stalin’s "Dravidian Model" government with revitalising priest training schools and appointing non-Brahmin and female priests, in his congratulatory message.

In his statement, Ranganathan highlighted the shift toward "equal spirituality", by pointing out that nearly 200 students from diverse backward and scheduled caste backgrounds are currently undergoing training.

The priests, however, raised a significant demand, urging the state government to ensure the appointment of government-trained priests and Othuvars in major Agamic temples -- including those in Madurai, Srirangam, and Thiruvannamalai -- to fully realise the goal of social equality within the sanctum sanctorum. PTI JR JR ADB