Zero tolerance on anti-national activities: Naidu

In an assertive manner he said, “The entire Kashmir belongs to India and no country will be given a part of it. Pakistan, which has encouraged terrorism so far, will soon be boomeranged by the same terrorism.” (sic) 

He added that all Indians should remain united and forget the differences based on caste, creed and religion. He said that Veerapandiya Kattabomman had been his favourite freedom fighter as he was the first freedom fighter to revolt against the British rule even before the commencement of the Independence Movement in 1857. 

He added that Tamil Nadu had produced several other prominent freedom fighters such as V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Subramaniya Bharati, Rajaji, Kamaraj and Muthuramalinga Thevar. 

“All the leaders have struggled for freedom but only a few leaders were highlighted in the first 68 years of Independence,” he said taking a dig at the Congress rule. 

It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had asked his Ministers to visit the memorials of all the freedom fighters so that even the lesser known freedom fighters like Azhagumuthu Kone would be known throughout the nation. Hence, 75 ministers had started on a mission to visit 150 places in India to highlight the importance of all the freedom fighters in the country, he added. 

He also paid respects to Veemaraja alias Jegaveera Pandiya Subramaniya Kattabomma Durai, the fifth generation direct descendant of Veerapandiya Kattabomman. Then he visited the temple of Jakka Devi Amman and offered special prayers. Following that he visited the memorials of V.O. Chidambaram Pillai at Ottapidaram and Bharathiyar at Ettayapuram. He paid respect to both the legendary freedom fighters. 

At Ettayapuram, while addressing the media he said that the Bharathiyar Memorial was well maintained and it houses several historical documents. 

When asked whether Tirunelveli Railway Junction would be named after V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, he replied that he would discuss the issue with Union Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu, and would announce the decision later.

Earlier, he came to Thoothukudi from Hyderabad and addressed the media at airport, where he requested the State governments to give more importance to sports in the curriculum. “Only then we can fare better in the Olympics in the future,” he said.