TIRUCHY: Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday said legendary singer Nagore EM Hanifa dedicated his entire life to propagating Dravidian principles through music and was a steadfast opponent of Hindi imposition, asserting that the Dravidian model government would continue its resistance against any such move.

Addressing the centenary birth anniversary celebrations of Hanifa in Nagore, Udhayanidhi said the singer practised secularism until his last breath and firmly upheld the ideals of “one God, one leader and one movement.” Recalling Hanifa’s contribution to the Dravidian movement, he said the singer earned the title ‘Isai Murasu’ for carrying Dravidian ideology to the masses through his songs.

Udhayanidhi noted that CN Annadurai had allotted Hanifa the Nagapattinam Assembly constituency to contest in the 1957 elections, reflecting the high regard he enjoyed among Dravidian leaders. “Hanifa spread the ideology through music, while Karunanidhi did so through his speeches. Both travelled together in opposing Hindi imposition,” he said.

Stressing that the legacy of Hanifa remained deeply embedded in Tamil Nadu, the Deputy Chief Minister said the State would continue to oppose Hindi imposition, adding that Chief Minister MK Stalin had taken a firm stand on the issue despite pressure from the Union government.

Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi announced that a grand centenary celebration for Hanifa would be held in Chennai, to be presided over by Chief Minister MK Stalin.