T.N. CM Stalin unveils portrait of Periyar on Oxford University campus

Unveiling a portrait of late social reformer ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy on the University of Oxford campus in the United Kingdom on Thursday (September 4, 2025), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called upon all countries to come up with a reservation policy for the oppressed and marginalised sections of society.

“We have protected the rights of each section through reservation. All countries should grant a similar reservation policy to the oppressed and marginalised. Organisations that work for community rights should take this up. Some countries have what is termed as ‘affirmative action’ even now,” Mr. Stalin said. He also pointed out that many leading colleges and universities have ‘campus diversity’ and ‘student diversity’.

The portrait of Periyar
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Mr. Stalin also released ‘The Cambridge Campanion to Periyar’, edited by A.R. Venkatachalapathy and Karthick Ram Manoharan, published by the Cambridge University Press. Referring to the steps undertaken by the Tamil Nadu government to translate the works of Periyar, Mr. Stalin said like Cambridge University, other varisities should also publish them.

Periyar’s ideals

“Periyar’s thoughts should reach every part of the world. All existing forms of oppression should be removed. From collective rights to individuals rights, all rights must be protected,” Mr. Stalin said. Recalling his visits to several countries as Chief Minister, Mr. Stalin said he was truly moved by this event as it was in honour of Periyar.

Quoting Periyar, who said that only a sense of self-respect could make the people of the world siblings in a global family, reflecting the success of the Self-Respect Movement, Mr. Stalin said that conferences such as this could uphold the ideal of self-respect.

Hailing Periyar and his ideals, Mr. Stalin said it was a proud moment that his portrait was being unveiled at the prestigious University of Oxford. There could be no better pride for him as the president of the DMK, which was the continuation of the Self-Respect Movement, Mr. Stalin said.

“It was only in our Tamil Nadu that a reformist movement emerged as a political force, convinced the common people, won their votes to implement reformist ideas, brought about legislation, and thereby made society progressive,” Mr. Stalin underlined.

Unlike any other State in the country, Tamil Nadu brought about legislations for empowering people of all sections of society to become priests, ensuring equal property rights to women, as well as education and employment in public services to all, Mr. Stalin said.

“During my visit to Europe, I have come across people from families from oppressed sections who have emerged to hold respected positions here,” Mr. Stalin said. Tamil Nadu has been developing in terms of education, economy, industrial growth, quality of life, infrastructure, among others, he said. “Our journey is still long. We should ignore the unnecessary disturbances.”

Mr. Stalin recalled having served food to Periyar when the latter attended a family function. He also recalled that Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani took part in the Periyar centenary celebrations on the University of Oxford campus in 1983.