TIRUCHY: Farmers and pro-Tamil activists made Pongal commemorating Karikala Cholan, who constructed the Grand Anicut (Kallanai) on Friday, and gave offerings to the statue of the king at the manimandapam. They demanded to celebrate the day as a government event.

As a prolonged practice, the Cauvery Rights Retrieval Committee has been celebrating Pongal in commemoration of the King Karikala Cholan, who constructed the Kallanai during the second day of the Tamil month of ’Thai’.

Accordingly, on Friday, the members garlanded and worshipped the statues of Karikalan, Arthur Cotton, Mother Cauvery, Agathiyar and Emperor Raja Raja Cholan at the Kallanai premises. They also gave offerings to Mother Cauvery and performed a special puja.

Subsequently, they prepared Pongal in front of the Manimandapam of King Karikala Cholan and took an oath in support of Cauvery rights.

While speaking to reporters, the president of the committee, P Maniyarasan, said the committee has been organising the event to express gratitude to the king who constructed Kallanai to help the farmers in irrigation. 

He appealed to the Union Government to provide an MSP of Rs 3,500 per quintal of paddy. He also appealed to the Chief Minister MK Stalin, to organise a government event in commemoration of the king Karikala Cholan. Members from various farmers' associations took part in the event.