Union Minister releases stamp to commemorate freedom fighter Veeran Alagumuthu Kone

The Union government wanted Tamil Nadu to grow and “whatever help is required will surely be given” to overcome the impact of the recent rains and floods, said Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology, on Saturday.

Releasing a stamp to commemorate Veeran Alagumuthu Kone, one of the earliest freedom fighters, at a function organised by Yadava Empowerment Services here, the Union Minister said that the Modi government treated all States equally and wanted Tamil Nadu to grow.

In a meeting, which was high on political rhetoric, Mr. Prasad apologised to the family members of the freedom fighter for the delay in releasing a stamp. “History of Indian stamps shows that a lot of them are from one family,” he said even while claiming that the Modi government wanted to accord due recognition for all Indians.

It was a shame that a stamp on Alagumuthu Kone, who was killed by the British tied to the mouth of a cannon in 1759, should be released after 68 years of Independence, he said. To make the younger generation aware of the sacrifice made by many in the freedom movement, Mr. Prasad had asked his Ministry to compile a list of revolutionaries and freedom fighters as the Union government respected all those who had laid down their lives for the nation.

“Prime Minister Modi believed in cooperation of all and development of all,” Mr. Prasad said, adding that the Centre stood for respect, justice and growth of all communities.

Union Minister of State for State for Shipping and Road Transport Pon. Radhakrishnan gave an assurance that the Centre would take all steps to conduct jallikattu in Tamil Nadu this year. By releasing a stamp in memory of Alagumuthu Kone, the Modi government had honoured entire Tamil Nadu, he said.

BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav recalled how the Yadavs had a tradition for sacrificing their lives for the nation. P. Muralidhar Rao, BJP general secretary, said jallikattu was a symbol of Tamil culture and youth power and the Centre would take all steps to protect it.

State BJP president Tamizhisai Soundararajan saw a bright future for Tamil Nadu in several communities coming together. Those who offered felicitations included M. Gopalakrishnan, president, Tamil Nadu Yadava Mahasabha, and R. Srinivasan, State joint convenor, Swadeshi Jagran Manch.