Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Thursday that a statue of Karl Marx will be installed in Chennai, while a grand memorial (Manimandapam) will be constructed in Usilampatti to honour veteran leader P.K. Mookkaiah Thevar.Speaking in the Assembly under Rule 110, Stalin highlighted Marx’s influence on global revolutions and his role in empowering the working class. “This Dravidian model government seeks to honour Karl Marx, the revolutionary who gave the world the battle cry—‘Workers of the world, unite!’ His philosophy gave strength to the working class, inspiring movements for social justice across the world,” he said.
Stalin also noted that Marx had written about India’s diverse culture and predicted its revival. “It was Periyar who first translated The Communist Manifesto into Tamil in 1931,” he added. Given Chennai’s rich history of trade union movements, the city is the ideal location for Marx’s statue, Stalin asserted.
The Chief Minister also paid tribute to Mookkaiah Thevar, recalling his fearless leadership, electoral victories, and his fight against the Katchatheevu Accord. He emphasized Thevar’s efforts in advancing education within the Thevar community and announced that the government would construct a memorial in Usilampatti in his honor.
Expelled AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam and BJP floor leader Nainar Nagendran welcomed the decision, urging the government to ensure that the memorial truly reflects Thevar’s legacy and contributions.