Oxford [United Kingdom], September 5 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK. Stalin unveiled a portrait of social reformer E.V. Ramasamy Periyar, widely hailed as the “Prophet of Rationalism,” at the University of Oxford. The ceremony marked the centenary of the Self-Respect Movement, founded by Periyar in 1925, and was followed by a two-day international conference on his philosophy.
“It is a lifetime honour to unveil the portrait of Father Periyar at Oxford University – an institution synonymous with knowledge, human rights, and dignity. This unveiling is proof that Periyar’s rationalist light now shines across the world, beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu,” Stalin said in his address.
The event, jointly organized by St. Antony’s College and Balliol College of Oxford, was attended by leading scholars including Professor Faisal Devji, Professor James Mallinson, and researcher Pramila Bester, alongside Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T.R.B. Raja.
Stalin recalled that nearly 40 years earlier, in 1983, Periyar’s centenary was celebrated at Oxford by Dravidar Kazhagam President K. Veeramani, and said it was deeply moving to see Periyar once again honoured on the global stage.
Explaining the essence of Periyar’s philosophy, Stalin said:”If someone asks what Periyarism means, we must introduce them to its foundations – self-respect, rationalism, social justice, gender equality, fraternity, scientific temper, secular politics, women’s emancipation, and human dignity.”
He quoted Periyar’s words that “the only thing worth giving one’s life for is self-respect” and highlighted the six principles Periyar laid down in Kudiarasu magazine, including the abolition of caste hierarchy, equal rights for women, equitable distribution of resources, and total freedom for individuals to live by reason and inquiry.
Stalin noted that Periyar’s reformist ideas were far ahead of their time. As early as 1932, Periyar toured Europe, the Soviet Union, and England, fearlessly addressing workers in Barnsley and criticizing colonial exploitation.
He championed widow remarriage, inter-caste marriage, temple entry for Dalits, reservation in education and jobs, and women’s property rights long before they became law. Unlike violent revolutions, Periyar’s were “bloodless revolutions” that later shaped policy and legislation in Tamil Nadu and India.
Stalin traced how successive Dravidian leaders – C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, and now the current DMK government – translated Periyar’s social reform ideas into governance. These include:Self-Respect Marriages (legalized by Annadurai); Equal property rights for women (enacted under Karunanidhi); and Arulmigu Equality Townships and priesthood rights for all castes (enforced by DMK governments).
“Tamil Nadu today has no famine deaths. It leads in education, health, industry, and social development. Women who were once confined to homes now walk into space. Dalits once denied temple entry now perform pujas inside sanctums. This is Periyar’s real victory,” Stalin said.
Stalin praised the launch of The Cambridge Companion to Periyar, edited by historians A.R. Venkatachalapathy and Karthick Ram Manoharan, published by Cambridge University Press.
He urged more universities worldwide to translate and publish Periyar’s works, emphasizing that his ideals of rationalism, equality, and social justice were universal.
“Just as Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural is a global moral text despite being written in Tamil, Periyar’s thoughts belong to all humanity. The world must adopt affirmative action and social justice policies, as Tamil Nadu has done, to uplift marginalized communities,” the Chief Minister said.
“Though I have attended many international events, this one is different – because it is for Periyar. Standing here at Oxford, I felt as if I was back in Tamil Nadu. This is not just an honour for me, but for the Dravidian movement and for every Tamil,” he said.
Stalin concluded by expressing gratitude to the organizers and reaffirmed that Tamil Nadu would continue to globalize Periyar’s ideas of rationalism, social justice, and human dignity. (ANI)
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