Thevar was a key figure in India’s independence movement, taking part in the Quit India Movement against British rule.
He helped repeal the British Criminal Tribes Act, which unfairly labeled entire communities as criminals by birth.
Alongside activist A. Vaidyanatha Iyer, he led the 1939 Meenakshi Goddess Temple Entry Movement, allowing marginalized groups to enter the temple.
His work combined militant nationalism with social reforms, making him a celebrated leader in the Madras region.
Each year, the government honors his legacy with official ceremonies, speeches, and visits from senior leaders such as Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan.
The state deployed about ten thousand police officers, installed four hundred closed‑circuit television cameras, and built thirty‑eight observation towers to monitor the crowds and enforce strict traffic rules.
In nearby Madurai, political leaders and party members placed flower garlands on his statue at Goripalayam junction before traveling to the memorial, highlighting his lasting influence.
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