'Tamil Nadu was his father-state': MK Stalin unveils statue of VP Singh in Chennai

‘Tamil Nadu was his father-state’: MK Stalin unveils statue of VP Singh in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin on Monday unveiled a life-sized statue of former Prime Minister VP Singh at Presidency College in Chennai, emphasising his party’s duty to honour the late “guardian of social justice”.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav and VP Singh’s family.

“If Uttar Pradesh was Singh’s mother-state, Tamil Nadu was his father-state,” Stalin said after unveiling the former Prime Minister’s statue.

While addressing a public event to mark the occasion, MK Stalin said it was his duty to install the statue of the “guardian of social justice” in the college premises so that the life and achievements of VP Singh could be learnt by everyone.

“His history should be told to the students. That’s why we have erected his statue in a college. Also, the DMK considers it as its duty to install Singh’s statue,” Stalin said.

The statue is located near the memorial of late DMK president M Karunanidhi on Marina Beach.

MK Stalin also thanked Akhilesh Yadav for his presence on the occasion. “Future CM Akhilesh has participated in the event to unveil the statue. Today as the Chief Minister, I am unveiling VK Singh’s statue which is a great honour. We are also part of VP Singh’s family. Unveiling his statue is a way of showing our thanks to him,” Stalin said.

Stalin said he had met Singh only twice in his lifetime and the former Prime Minister had appreciated him for the massive procession he had taken in Chennai in 1988. The DMK chief also recorded his appreciation for Singh’s family including his wife Sita Kumari, son Ajay Singh, and others, for attending the function.

“I don’t wish to call you as VP Singh’s family. We are also part of the VP Singh family. We are showing our gratitude to him by installing a statue for Singh, who firmly implemented the Mandal Commission recommendation,” Stalin said.

Meanwhile, speaking to India Today TV, VP Singh’s son Ajay Pratap Singh said after his father’s death, his work didn’t get adequate recognition.

“It was an overwhelming experience for me. It was an emotional one. He has spent many years in public life but after his passing away we didn’t see much of his work being acknowledged or celebrated,” Ajay Singh said.

“When had brief conversations with him, he was very hurt but the reaction to him implementing Mandal Commission. He was saying that he had two sons the same age as children who had self-immolated (against Mandal Commission) and he appealed that if only by staying alive a person can fight against him,” he said recalling the difficult moments VP Singh faced after implementing Mandal Commission.

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