Over 1,100-yr-old Tamil inscription talks of democratic processes in India: Modi

April 13, 2023 22:44

PM Narendra Modi being felicitated by Union minister L Murugan during Tamil New Year celebrations, in New Delhi/ANI

Asserting that India is the world's oldest democracy with numerous historical references to democratic principles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said an over 1,100-year-old inscription from Tamil Nadu talks about rules for a local body, including provision for disqualifying a member.

Speaking at Tamil New Year celebrations at the residence of Union minister L Murugan in Chennai, Modi said Tamil is the world's oldest language and every Indian is proud of this.

Dressed in traditional Tamil attire, Modi said Tamil literature is also widely respected and the Tamil film industry has given some of the most iconic works.

"India is the world's oldest democracy, it is the mother of democracy. There are numerous historical references to this. An important reference is Tamil Nadu," Modi said.

He said that in Tamil Nadu's Uthiramerur, there is an inscription 1100-1200-year-old where one gets a glimpse of democratic values of the country.

"The inscription found there is like a local constitution for the gram sabha there. In this it has been told how the assembly should be run, what should be the qualification of members, what should be the process to elect the members. Not only that, in that era, they had decided how a member would be disqualified," the prime minister said.

There has been a major political slugfest between the BJP and the Opposition parties after the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha following his conviction and sentencing in a 2019 defamation case.

In his remarks, Modi said, "As a country it is our responsibility to take forward this culture and tradition but we all know what happened earlier. Now I have been given this responsibility." -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Elli's Super Hot Beach Look

Vicky promotes Bad Newz... Alaya is in London... Sayani tries a new hairstyle...

VIP chief Mukesh Sahani's father found murdered at home

Jitan Sahani's body, with several stab injuries and cut marks on his chest and stomach, was found inside his room at his house in Biraul area on Tuesday.

Para-shuttler Manasi rips into cricketers for 'appalling' video

World Championship gold-medallist para shuttler Manasi Joshi has strongly criticised former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina for allegedly mocking people with disabilities.

Tell Putin...: US urges India to 'utilise' ties with Russia

India has been stoutly defending its "special and privileged strategic partnership" with Russia and maintained the momentum in the ties notwithstanding the Ukraine conflict.

JD Vance, Trump's VP pick, has an Indian connection

Born Usha Chilukuri, she has carved out a distinguished career in the legal field, having clerked for Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh before Kavanaugh's nomination to the court.