மிகச்சிறந்த ஜனநாயகவாதியாகவும் - இந்தியத் துணைக்கண்டத்தின் பன்முகத்தன்மையைப் போற்றியவருமாக விளங்கியவர் பண்டித ஜவகர்லால் நேரு அவர்கள்! (1/3)...

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin paid glowing tribute to India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, celebrating him as a consummate democrat who fiercely defended and cherished the pluralistic diversity of the Indian subcontinent. Stalin noted that Nehru recognized that India's unity does not stem from artificial uniformity, but rather thrives through the harmonious coexistence and constitutional protection of diverse languages, regional cultures, and faiths.

The Chief Minister recalled that the Dravidian movement shared a profound, constructive relationship with Nehru, who respected Tamil Nadu's distinct cultural voice and accommodated linguistic federalism. Crucially, it was Nehru's historic parliamentary assurance that protected non-Hindi speaking states from the coercive imposition of Hindi, preserving English as an associate official language. His deep commitment to parliamentary debate, institutional autonomy, and democratic dissent established enduring democratic benchmarks for the young republic.

Stalin asserted that remembering Nehru's democratic statesmanship is essential today when centralized authoritarianism and majoritarian nationalism threaten Indian democracy. He reaffirmed that Tamil Nadu will steadfastly safeguard Nehru's legacy of federalism and secular brotherhood, ensuring that diverse regional nationalities enjoy dignity, equal rights, and political voice within the Indian Union.