Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday unveiled a portrait of social reformer and Dravidian icon E.V. Ramasamy Periyar at Oxford University in London, marking the centenary of the Self-Respect Movement.
Calling it a proud moment, Mr. Stalin said Periyarâs ideas of equality, rationalism, womenâs rights, and social justice had spread beyond Tamil Nadu and earned global acceptance. âOppression is my enemy â this call of Periyar now resonates at Oxford,â he said, adding that Periyarâs principles belonged to all humanity.
The portrait, created by art director Thotta Tharani, was unveiled in the presence of scholars, students, and Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa. Mr. Stalin also released two books on the century-long journey of the Self-Respect Movement.
The Chief Minister stressed that Periyarâs philosophy continues to inspire movements worldwide against caste tyranny and gender inequality. âAt Oxford, I spoke with pride as an heir to Periyarâs legacy, honouring the revolution that turned centuries of subjugation into the eternal anthem of self-respect,â he remarked.
The event at Oxford was seen as a symbolic recognition of the Dravidian reformerâs global impact. Political observers noted that the unveiling not only elevated Periyarâs legacy on an international stage but also strengthened Tamil Naduâs cultural presence abroad.
The event came as part of Mr. Stalinâs ongoing European investment tour. Earlier in Germany, he signed 26 MoUs worth over âč7,000 crore. In London, he has also secured fresh investments from leading firms, including Rolls Royce and others, across sectors such as defence, renewable energy, and shipbuilding.