Minister for Public Works Department Minister E. V. Velu stated that he sees the rationality and self-respect of E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) in Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. He made this comment during a marriage ceremony organized to celebrate Udhayanidhiâs birthday.
The event, titled âUniting Two Hearts â Blooming a New Dawnâ, was held yesterday at the Raja Annamalai Mandram in Chennai’s Parimunai area. It was organized by the DMK Youth Wing (East and West Port Division) and saw the marriage of 21 couples.
Ministers Velu and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Sekarbabu presided over the ceremony and solemnized the weddings.
To mark the occasion, the song âUdhikkum Udhayamâ (Rising Sun), written by lyricist Pa. Vijay and composed by Arts Gopi, was released by Minister Velu and received by DMK Youth Wing Deputy Secretary Joel.
Minister Velu’s Speech
During the event, Minister Velu remarked, âIf a priest had conducted this ceremony, it would have been according to religious scriptures. However, this event is unique because it was conducted with the intent to promote equality and support the underprivileged. Many have wealth but lack the will to help others. Here, both resources and intent have come together to arrange weddings for the needy.â
He further highlighted that the wedding invitation referred to the ceremony as âA New Unity Eventâ in line with Periyarâs ideology of eliminating subjugation in family life.
“Udhayanidhi, who represents the fifth generation of service in the DMK, has been working tirelessly. I have seen him since his childhood, and I can confidently say that he embodies the rationality and self-respect championed by Periyar. He also possesses the ability to speak fluently in both Tamil, his mother tongue, and English, reflecting Annaâs dual language policy,” Velu added.