Day before Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, Modi in Tamil Nadu: Gave country new self-confidence

“Operation Sindoor proved that for enemies of India, for terrorists, there is no safe haven. The world saw how India responds if someone attacks its security and sovereignty. When I came here from the helipad, the three to four kilometre distance suddenly became a roadshow, and everyone was praising Op Sindoor … It has created a new awakening, a new self-confidence across the country,” Modi said in his address from the sprawling grounds adjoining the Brihadisvara Temple in the ancient Chola capital of Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu’s Ariyalur district. He was at the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival commemorating the birth anniversary of Chola emperor Rajendra I and 1,000 years of both his maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and the commencement of the temple’s construction.

The PM spoke of the Indian military’s might and the legacy of the Chola empire, linking the country’s contemporary strength to its civilisational roots. He said the “names of emperors Raja Raja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I are synonymous with India’s identity and pride” and announced that grand statues of the monarchs would be built in Tamil Nadu. These would become “modern pillars of our historic awakening”, he added.

“The Chola emperors had woven India into a thread of cultural unity. Today, our government is carrying forward the same vision of the Chola era. Through initiatives such as the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam and the Saurashtra-Tamil Sangamam, we are strengthening these centuries-old bonds of unity,” Modi said.

He said Rajendra Chola exemplified humility despite his achievements. “Today’s New India embodies this same spirit: becoming stronger, yet rooted in values of global welfare and unity.”

The PM released a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola. Live renditions of Shaivite hymns and a performance by music maestro Ilaiyaraaja were also part of the event. Modi, dressed in traditional Tamil attire of white veshti, short-sleeve shirt, and an angavastram, paid homage to the Brihadisvara temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. “I have prayed at this historic temple for the welfare of 140 crore Indians and the continued progress of India,” he said while lauding its “exquisite architecture and sculptures”.

Citing ancient Tamil administrative systems, Modi said, “Several people speak about the UK’s Magna Carta while commenting on democracy. However, the Chola-era ‘Kudavolai system’ predated it.” The electoral method, he said, existed “over 1,000 years ago”.

“The Chola kings significantly enhanced their diplomatic and trade relations with regions such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia. It is just a coincidence that I returned from the Maldives yesterday, and today I am here.”

The PM touched upon the importance of spiritual unity, quoting the Shaivite philosopher Thirumoolar: “Love is Shiva, and if the world adopts this idea today, most of the crises can be solved.”

“Our Shaivite tradition has played a vital role in shaping India’s cultural identity. The Chola emperors were key architects of this legacy. Even today, Tamil Nadu remains one of the most significant centres where this living tradition continues to thrive.”

On Sunday morning, BJP and AIADMK supporters lined the streets at major junctions in Tiruchirapalli as Modi started his journey to Gangaikonda Cholapuram. He arrived in the ancient Chola capital in a chopper, landing on the dry bed of the historic Chola Gangam lake. In the town, odhuvars (singers of hymns) sang verses from the Thevaram, a collection of devotional poetry dedicated to Lord Shiva. Crowds along the route from the helipad to the temple waved flags and chanted slogans. At the venue, separate enclosures were set up for Shaivite saints such as the Madurai Adheenam and the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam.

Modi reached Tamil Nadu on Saturday evening, flying into Tiruchirapalli International Airport from Thoothukudi after launching infrastructure projects worth Rs 4,900 crore. There, he was received by Governor R N Ravi, state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Minister K N Nehru, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) leader G K Vasan, and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the PM and Palaniswami since the AIADMK and BJP renewed their electoral alliance in April.