TN CM Vijay pays tribute to Iyothee Thass Pandithar on his 181st birth anniversary

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and other leaders paid floral tributes to anti-caste thinker C Iyothee Thass Pandithar on his 181st birth anniversary.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday paid a rich floral tribute to the prominent social reformer, scholar, and pioneering anti-caste thinker, C Iyothee Thass Pandithar, on his 181st birth anniversary at the Gandhi Mandapam here.

CM Vijay, accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues including Ministers N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, K A Sengottaiyan, and senior Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders, garlanded the statue of the reformer and raised slogans honouring his enduring legacy.

Leaders across the state's political spectrum also gathered at the memorial to pay respects.

DMK President M K Stalin paid rich floral tributes to the late philosopher, highlighting his lasting impact on regional political consciousness.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President K Selvaperunthagai and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol Thirumavalavan also garlanded the statue.

Speaking to reporters, Selvaperunthagai termed Pandithar as one of Tamil Nadu's greatest leaders, noting that the legislative assembly had accepted proposals for the memorial during the previous DMK regime to ensure his historical contributions are preserved.

Born on May 20, 1845, Iyothee Thass Pandithar was a multi-faceted intellectual, Siddha physician, and journalist who founded the Sakya Buddhist Society and launched the historic weekly journal 'Oru Paisa Tamizhan' in 1907 to champion the rights of marginalised communities.