Foundation stone laid for Ziegenbalg memorial hall in Mayiladuthurai amid protest by fishermen

Tamil Development and Information and Publicity Minister M. P. Saminathan on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a memorial hall, with a statue, to commemorate German missionary Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg, who pioneered Tamil printing by installing a press in the erstwhile Danish settlement of Tranquebar (Tharangambadi) and bringing out the Tamil edition of the New Testament.

The proposed facility, to be built at an estimated cost of ₹7 crore at Erukkattancheri village in Tharangambadi taluk, will have a built-up area of 9,490 sq. ft. and a hall that can accommodate around 350 persons. Officials said the plan includes a marriage hall, dining area, kitchen, reception space, and toilets.

Backward Classes Welfare Minister Siva V. Meyyanathan, Tamil Development and Information and Publicity Department Secretary V. Rajaraman, Poompuhar MLA Nivedha M. Murugan, Sirkazhi MLA M. Paneerselvam, and Mayiladuthurai MLA S. Rajakumar attended the function.

Representatives of the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church and local body officials also participated.

Protest over location

A section of fishermen from Tharangambadi staged a protest during the day, demanding that the memorial be established within Tharangambadi, given its historical association with Ziegenbalg and the early Tamil printing press. They contended that locating the memorial outside Tharangambadi hurt local sentiments.

Following talks with district officials, the protesters were informed that the present site was chosen as suitable land was not available within Tharangambadi. Officials, however, said locals would be given time to suggest a viable alternative site within Tharangambadi within two weeks.

The protesters later dispersed peacefully and the programme concluded without incident.