R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, FEB 15
Launching the International Vallalar Conference organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin cautioned that attempts were under way to portray Tamil Nadu’s cultural ethos in “different colours” and emphasised the need to preserve Vallalar’s universal message.
தனிப்பெருங்கருணை கொண்ட நம் #DravidianModel அரசின் சார்பில் அனைத்துலக வள்ளலார் மாநாடு
வாடிய பயிரைக் கண்டு வாடிய வள்ளலார் பெருமகனாரின் அன்புநெறி அகிலமெங்கும் சென்று சேர நாம் நடத்தும் அனைத்துலக வள்ளலார் மாநாட்டில் எட்டு புதிய அறிவிப்புகளை வெளியிட்டேன்.
பசிப்பிணி போக்கி, சமூகத்தில்… pic.twitter.com/PfQjm0srDN
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) February 15, 2026
“Tamil Nadu will not allow divisive forces to repaint its cultural identity or distort Vallalar’s philosophy of compassion and equality,” he asserted.
- Tamil Nadu CM warns against ‘divisive’ attempts to distort Vallalar’s teachings and Tamil Nadu’s spiritual identity;
- Links saint’s ‘Thaniperum Karunai’ doctrine to State’s welfare model, including breakfast scheme and social support programmes;
- Announces seven landmark initiatives, including research centre, memorial pillar, Annadhana centres and Sanmarga school;
- Reveals massive temple restoration drive covering over 12,900 shrines with Rs 8,100-crore investment
Vallalar’s Compassion Philosophy Anchors Tamil Nadu’s Governance Model
Invoking Vallalar’s timeless doctrine of ‘Thaniperum Karunai’ (infinite compassion), Stalin said the saint had elevated humanity’s moral responsibility by identifying hunger as the gravest form of suffering.
“Vallalar described hunger itself as a disease and insisted that feeding the poor was the highest form of service,” the Chief Minister said.
He stressed that Tamil Nadu’s governance model draws deeply from this moral framework, linking Vallalar’s ideals directly to the State’s welfare programmes.
“Programmes such as the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme for school children and assistance measures for the elderly are rooted in the same principle of compassion and social justice,” he noted.
The Chief Minister emphasised that these initiatives reflect a commitment to eliminating poverty-induced suffering and ensuring dignity for all sections of society.
Temple Restoration and Cultural Revival at Historic Scale
Highlighting the government’s efforts to revitalise spiritual heritage, Stalin said renovation works had been completed in 4,192 temples where consecration ceremonies had not been conducted for decades, restoring their religious and cultural vibrancy.
He added that restoration projects were currently under way in more than 12,900 temples across Tamil Nadu at an estimated cost of Rs 8,100 crore, representing one of the largest temple conservation drives in the State’s history.
These initiatives, he said, reaffirm Tamil Nadu’s commitment to preserving its spiritual legacy while making temples more accessible and vibrant centres of social harmony.
Seven Major Initiatives Announced to Honour Vallalar
In a landmark announcement, the Chief Minister unveiled seven new initiatives to preserve and propagate Vallalar’s teachings and humanitarian vision. These include:
- Establishment of a memorial pillar at the conference venue
- Creation of a Sanmarga training school with Thiruvarutpa music classes and herbal garden at Vadalur
- Publication of a new book titled “Spiritual Alchemy”
- Annual three-day State observance of Vallalar’s birth anniversary
- Opening of Vallalar Annadhana Centres at Mettukuppam, Marudur, and Karunguzhi
- Naming a public park near the Cuddalore Collectorate after Vallalar
- Establishment of a Vallalar Research Centre in Chennai
These initiatives aim to institutionalise Vallalar’s teachings and ensure their relevance for future generations.
“Equality and Social Justice Are Our Commitments”: CM Stalin
மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.@mkstalin அவர்கள் இன்று (15.02.2026) காலை, சென்னையில் இந்து சமய அறநிலையத் துறை சார்பில் நடைபெற்று வருகின்ற அனைத்துலக வள்ளலார் மாநாடு 2026-ஐ தொடங்கி வைத்து சிறப்புரையாற்றினார். மேலும், வடலூர் வள்ளலார் சர்வதேச மையத்தில் சித்த மருத்துவ மையம், (1/3) pic.twitter.com/1Xz57aEBES
— P.K. Sekar Babu (@PKSekarbabu) February 15, 2026
Reaffirming the State’s ideological foundation, the Chief Minister underscored that Vallalar’s teachings remain inseparable from Tamil Nadu’s social and political ethos.
“Equality and social justice are not mere slogans for us; they are commitments,” Stalin declared.
He urged scholars, devotees, and citizens to safeguard Vallalar’s message and carry forward his ideals of compassion, inclusiveness, and universal brotherhood.
He called upon society to build a future rooted in love, virtue, culture and compassion, in keeping with Vallalar’s timeless vision.
Conference Reinforces Tamil Nadu’s Global Spiritual Leadership
The International Vallalar Conference marks a major cultural and spiritual milestone, bringing together scholars, spiritual leaders, and researchers to reflect on Vallalar’s enduring relevance in addressing modern challenges such as inequality, poverty, and social fragmentation.
By launching global initiatives and strengthening heritage conservation, the Tamil Nadu government has positioned Vallalar’s philosophy not merely as a spiritual doctrine, but as a guiding force for governance, social justice, and human progress.
