Periyar goes global: Stalin unveils portrait of the Dravidian icon at Oxford, claims the reformer’s legacy

From the confines of Tamil Nadu, Periyar goes global with Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiling the portrait of the iconic Dravidian social reformer who led the non-Brahmin Self-Respect Movement on its centenary at the Oxford University campus and calling upon all countries to come with a policy of reservation for the oppressed and marginalised communities.

On the second leg of his official mission for investment scouting in Europe, Stalin, unveiling of the portrait designed by renowned cinematographer Thotta Tharani, late on Thursday, said, “For all existing forms of oppression to be removed, Periyar’s thought should reach every part of the world. From collective rights to individual rights, all rights should be protected.”

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Periyar was an honorific bestowed on EV Ramasamy, who championed gender equality and fought against Brahmin hegemony, taking the Tamils towards modernity. Though the DMK is the true heir of the Justice Party, it lays claim to Periyar and his non-Brahmin Self-Respect Movement. Periyar also founded the non-Brahmin rationalist Dravidar Kazhagam, from which the DMK had split.

On the social reform movement turning into a major political force, Stalin said, “Only in Tamil Nadu it had happened by convincing the common folks, emerging as a force in electoral politics to implement reforms through legislations towards a progressive society. Unlike any other state in India, Tamil Nadu brought statutes for empowering people of all sections to become temple priests, equal property rights to women and making education and employment in public services to all.”

Referring to the success of the reservation policy in the state, the first to implement since 1921, he said “During my visit to Europe, I have come across people from many families from oppressed sections who are now holding highly respected positions,” adding, “While our journey is too long, we have to ignore unnecessary disturbances.” In the same breath, he recalled Periyar, who said that only a sense of self-respect could change people into a global family. He also recalled the Periyar centenary celebrations held at Oxford in 1983.

Stalin, who released ‘The Cambridge Companion to Periyar,’ published by Cambridge University Press, on the occasion, also detailed the steps taken by the DMK government to translate the works of Periyar. Later, in a social media post, he wrote: “#SelfRespectMovement – A revolution that redefined freedom. Chains fell, dignity rose! Thanthai Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement shattered fundamentalism, awakening dignity, nurtured scientific temple, and made us a guiding light of social transformation,” adding that he spoke as the heir of Periyar, honouring the revolution that turned centuries of subjugation into eternal anthem of Self-Respect.

Utilising the opportunity, Stalin paid floral tributes at the grave of the Anglican missionary and great Tamil scholar who had lived in Tamil Nadu for 40 years translating the ancient Sangam era classics including Tirukkural into English.