Bond between Dravidian and Left movements transcends electoral considerations: CM

M.K. Stalin highlights the enduring ideological bond between Dravidian and Communist movements at CPI leader's centenary celebration.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday said the Dravidian and the Communist movements shared an ideological bond that transcended electoral considerations.

Participating in the centenary celebrations of CPI leader R. Nallakannu, Mr. Stalin said a united fight against casteism, communalism and majoritarianism by democratic forces could be the best gift that one could give the Communist veteran on his birth centenary.

“There could be gaps in the political bond between the two movements [Dravidian and Communist]. But the ideological bond has remained consistent. It was Periyar who first translated and published the Communist Manifesto in Tamil. Singaravelar, the first Communist of South India, stood by Periyar when he launched the self-respect movement. Jeeva [P. Jeevanantham] was a part of the self-respect movement before emerging as a leader of the Communist party,” Mr. Stalin said.

He recalled Mr. Nallakannu’s contributions to the freedom and Communist movements; the sufferings and torture he endured at the hands of the police; and the life sentence awarded to him in the Nellai conspiracy case. “Everyone knows his struggle in saving the Thamirabarani River...,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said Mr. Nallakannu and DMK leader Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi) shared a special bond, and the former issued the first statement when Kalaignar was arrested at midnight. “When Kalaignar published Thai Kaviyam, Mr. Nallakannu wrote the preface for the book,” he said.

Mr. Stalin also released a collection of poems, Tholar Era Nallakannu: 100 poems by 100 poets on the occasion. CPI leader D. Raja; CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan; World Tamil Confederation leader Pazha Nedumaran; MDMK general secretary Vaiko, and Justice K. Chandru were present.