Udhayanidhi Stalin Announces ₹75 Lakh Aid for Former Prisoners

Honorable Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin
-Chennai, Kalaivanar Arangam,
on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Ex-Prisoners Welfare Association,
participated in the welfare event and delivered an emotional speech.

Following the guidance of the Honorable Chief Minister,
on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Ex-Prisoners Welfare Association,
financial assistance of ₹75 lakh (₹7.5 million) has been provided
to 750 former prisoners, each receiving ₹10,000.
I am extremely delighted to be part of this event and meet all of you.

At this moment, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to
the Honorable Minister of Law, Mr. Raghupathi,
and all prison department officials for making this event possible.

Our revered Dr. Kalaignar had a deep concern and affection for the prison department.
During the Dalmiapuram protest, he was arrested at Kallakudi and imprisoned at Trichy Central Jail.
Similarly, during the anti-Hindi agitation, he was detained under the National Security Act
and spent 62 days in solitary confinement at Panruti Jail.
He was someone who truly understood and stood for the struggles of prisoners.

Not just Kalaignar, but our Honorable Chief Minister also endured hardships.
During the Emergency in 1976, he was imprisoned for a year under the MISA Act,
experiencing every form of suffering.

Kalaignar once recalled an incident during his imprisonment.
His prison cell had an open sewage drain nearby, emitting a foul odor.
To avoid it, he stood behind the locked iron bars, extending only his nose outside for fresh air,
spending entire nights standing and sleeping.
He also criticized the poor quality of food given to prisoners.

It was only after the Dravidian party came to power that
prisoners were provided with hygienic toilets and nutritious food.
Today, the Dravidian model government is actively setting up libraries in prisons.

As part of our Dravidian governance, for the first time in Tamil Nadu’s prison history,
₹2 crore (₹20 million) has been allocated for prison libraries.
Our Chief Minister personally donated 1,500 books, which he received as gifts, to these libraries.

Every district’s government book fairs now have dedicated stalls
where books are distributed to prisoners.
Many individuals and organizations continue to donate books to this noble cause.

Even the books received as donations are now being sent
to prison libraries through the Chennai Book Fair initiative.
In 2023, I personally visited Puzhal Prison and presented books to the inmates.

Compared to the past, prisons today have significantly improved facilities.
Prisoners are now provided with better food and nutritious meals.
Tamil Nadu’s prison reforms serve as a model for the entire nation.

Our government is committed to prisoner rehabilitation, reformation,
and ensuring their well-being.
It is easy to help ordinary people, but supporting
and uplifting the so-called “broken men” is a challenging task.

We do not see prisons merely as places of punishment but as centers of rehabilitation.
Many may have committed crimes due to momentary lapses or difficult circumstances.
Whatever happened in the past is past.
Now, we must focus on a future filled with good deeds.

Beyond improving prison conditions,
we must ensure the welfare of those reentering society after release.
This event is organized with that vision in mind.

Supporting former prisoners in rebuilding their lives
is the true essence of social reform.
That is why the Tamil Nadu Ex-Prisoners Welfare Association was established.

No other state in India has such an initiative—
Tamil Nadu is the only state with an association dedicated to ex-prisoners.
Although it has existed since 1921,
only two Chief Ministers have actively participated in its events.

In 1972, Dr. Kalaignar attended its golden jubilee celebration and delivered a speech.
Last year, our Chief Minister personally provided financial aid of ₹3 crore (₹30 million)
to 660 former prisoners before their release.

Today, financial assistance worth ₹7.5 million (₹75 lakh)
is being distributed to 750 former prisoners.

As you receive this support, I urge you to forget the past,
focus only on the future,
think about the well-being of your families,
and move forward as responsible citizens.

Use this financial aid wisely.
Our Dravidian model government will always stand by you in every way.

Have faith in yourself. Look toward a new world!

With these words, I extend my gratitude to Minister Raghupathi
and all present here, thanking you once again for this opportunity.

— Honorable Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin