Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin led thousands of people in a rally in Chennai on Saturday evening to express solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces, which were engaged in Operation Sindoor until India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire.
Thousands of tricolours fluttered along the 3.8 km rally route from the Light House near the Tamil Nadu Police Headquarters (DGP's Office) to the War Memorial along Marina Beach, the world's second-longest beach.
Although the announcement of the ceasefire came shortly after the rally commenced at 5 p.m., Stalin, accompanied by alliance party leaders including Vaiko (MDMK), Selvaperunthagai (Congress), Thol. Thirumavalavan (VCK), and some of his cabinet colleagues, marched to the endpoint.
Stalin and the accompanying leaders paid floral tributes to the portraits of Indian soldier Naik (killed in Pakistan shelling) and the 26 tourists who were gunned down by terrorists in Pahalgam. Stalin also interacted with ex-servicemen at the War Memorial.
Later, he tweeted: "Tamil Nadu marched in solidarity with the #IndianArmedForces." He also hailed the ceasefire, saying, "The ceasefire is a welcome step — may peace endure. Our heartfelt salute to the courage of those who guard our borders."
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi thanked the Chief Minister "for a grand public rally this evening expressing unequivocal solidarity of our 8 crore people of Tamil Nadu with the Indian Armed Forces, who are valiantly and successfully defending the nation against Pakistani military aggression."
He added, "Our nation stands united and resolute alongside our armed forces, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to wipe out all the nodes of terror and safeguard our national sovereignty."
