Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently unveiled a statue of Karl Marx on February 6 at the historic Connemara Public Library in Chennai. While the gesture may appear merely symbolic to some, it carries deep-rooted resonance within Periyarist and Dravidian political thought, which has long accorded importance to Marxist philosophy and regarded the Left as part of the larger Dravidian ideological universe.
Unlike in North India, where several political forces claiming allegiance to Bahujan ideologies have spent considerable energy attacking Left movements—often branding them as “Brahmanical”—Tamil Nadu, and particularly the DMK under Stalin, has nurtured its relationship with Left forces and taken it to a new level.
This evolving synergy has also helped the Left government in Kerala acknowledge the historic role played by Periyar in the Vaikom Satyagraha, a contribution that until recently was underplayed by Brahmanical liberal intellectuals who disproportionately credited Mahatma Gandhi. While it is legitimate to critique Left parties for historically underestimating caste as a political question, should Bahujan or social justice parties not face similar criticism for ignoring class and behaving as though it does not exist?
Equally important is the looming disaster being imposed on the Global South by a naked world order unleashed by corporate-driven democracies which, in reality, serve only the interests of a global elite. The Epstein files are merely a glimpse of how the global liberal elite has systematically dismantled institutions that once spoke of social justice and the rule of law. Capitalist interests increasingly define law, while the international system functions largely to legitimise corporate dominance within global bodies.
Globally, a restructuring is underway, with imperialist forces once again asserting themselves, actively supported by capital to control markets and resources. We have witnessed the naked exercise of power in Venezuela, and now even a small country like Cuba faces similar threats—though it continues to resist. In such a scenario, all like-minded forces committed to social justice and socialism must unite against the imperial corporate-global clique and oligarchs who, in close nexus with political elites, relentlessly pursue an anti-poor agenda. Anyone in doubt should examine portions of the Epstein files, particularly conversations involving powerful individuals such as Bill Gates and others in relation to the pandemic.
The recent announcement by American President Donald Trump regarding a so-called “deal” between the US and India reflects the same bullying tactics—coercion disguised as diplomacy. The Indian leadership’s acceptance of this humiliation threatens farmers and national sovereignty. But after dividing the country, abusing national heroes, turning them into villains, and encouraging petty minds to vilify them daily, such manoeuvres are merely tools of the current regime to divert attention from real issues and its abject failure to protect farmers and the poor.
The moneyed middle classes and neo-rich may enjoy cheaper Scotch whisky and duty-free Rolls-Royces, Mercedes, and other luxury vehicles, but the cost will be enormous in terms of food security. American soy and dairy products are set to flood Indian markets, devastating domestic agriculture.
Across the world, it is the Left—socialists and communists—who are actually resisting this new form of imperialism, which controls economies in the name of a so-called “rules-based order” and threatens military action if countries refuse to comply. Nations like Russia and China can push back, but India has sadly succumbed to pressure. Much of the US “backyard” has turned red—from Brazil and Colombia to Venezuela and Bolivia—yet Left governments are repeatedly destabilised through US interventions carried out in the name of “human rights” and “democracy.” We know how that democracy works.
In this context, M.K. Stalin has shown remarkable courage and pragmatism by honouring Karl Marx, clearly signalling that Dravidianism views Marxism as a complementary ideology. Importantly, Stalin has not limited this recognition to Marx alone. A few years ago, he installed a life-size statue of former Prime Minister V.P. Singh—a champion of social justice—in Chennai, accompanied by full-page advertisements in leading newspapers. For the first time since V.P. Singh relinquished power, his name returned to newspaper front pages, courtesy of the Tamil Nadu government.
Ironically, V.P. Singh is scarcely remembered by leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav or parties like the Samajwadi Party or the RJD. Ram Vilas Paswan remembered him and was a close associate, but his son does not. Sharad Yadav’s daughter is now in the Congress and scarcely finds time to recall a man who sacrificed power for the rights of the marginalised. In this sense, M.K. Stalin has rendered yeoman service by honouring figures often dismissed or erased by India’s Brahmanical liberal elite.
The DMK under M.K. Stalin is both pragmatic and visionary. Tamil Nadu’s economic and social indicators are far superior to those of most Indian states. Frankly, a country like India deserves a leader like M.K. Stalin as Prime Minister—someone capable of bringing diverse ideologies together while speaking credibly about development. The Dravidian model offers hope for the rest of the country.
One hopes that Chief Minister Stalin will continue to unite like-minded forces and help build an inclusive India for the 21st century—an India that could well become a model for the world.
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*Human rights defender
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