Campaign on People’s Issues in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu state committee of CPIML and AIARLA jointly organised a yatra from 2-13 Sep 2023, on issues of land, wage, employment and social dignity. The campaign begun from the village of martyr comrade Chandrakumar in Mayiladuthurai district. A torch was carried from the memorial of comrade Chandrakumar. The yatra marched to the martyr’s column at the village Manalur of Thanjavur district which was a hotbed of militant anti-feudal struggles led by the CPIML in early 80s. The march culminated at the martyr’s column in memory of Comrade Subbu at the village Madakottai in Sivagangai district which is known for heroic struggles of temple entry, against caste domination and against the domination of “Nadu”, a feudal system, similar to Khap Panchayat but with the aim of establishing domination by local feudal powers.
The public meeting at Thiruppananthaal in Thanjavur district on 2 Sep was attended by hundreds of activists and addressed by V Shankar, Balasundaram, Pazha and Asaithambi along with district leaders of Left parties and VCK. The meeting was presided over by comrade Kannaiyan, the district secretary, who was also a participant in the struggle in which two comrades were martyred.
This yatra enraged the same feudal forces, who were responsible for the killings of Chandrasekar and Chandrakumar, as they sent some hooligans to attack the house of the district party secretary which was resisted by the local people. The police Sub Inspector who visited the spot at midnight, apparently sided with the attackers, was gheraoed by hundreds of people demanding arrest of the culprits.
The yatra was welcomed by delegates of district AIPWA conference on 6 Sep at Kabisthalam of Thanjavur district. The yatris also greeted the conference. Likewise, on 8 Sep, the yatra was welcomed by delegates of district AIPWA conference at Alangudi of Pudukottai district.
The march covered more than 100 panchayats in five districts - Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Trichy, Pudukottai and Sivagangai. Hundreds of people welcomed the yatra in each panchayat.
A public meeting was also held at Devekottai as a mark of culmination of the yatra after paying homage to Comrade Subbu at the martyr’s column at Madakottai. Comrades also visited the partner of martyr comrade Subbu, Kaliammal in the village Madakottai.
The public meeting was addressed by V Shankar, Balasundaram, Asaithambi, SCMs Simpson, Gunasekaran, KG Desikan, AIPWA Santhana Mary, Toiling Farmers Organisation SP Durairaj, Professors Kochadai, Arasa Muruga Pandian, district secretary of VCK and MT Pandian of Tamil Desa Makkal Munnani (Tamil National People's Front) addressed the enthusiastic gathering. The gathering represented various areas of the district and were mainly of women who were also part of our anti-feudal struggles in the district. The meeting was presided by Narayanan while Ranjith read out the resolutions. The chairman of the municipal council responded through facebook to the resolutions of the public meeting by assuring fulfilment of the same.
- Balasundaram
