and ‘Global Leader Periyar – Vol 12’ in the Valedictory session of the Culmination of Centenary Celebration
of Self Respect Movement held in Maraimalai Nagar, Chengalpattu. 4th October 2025.
he Centenary Culmination Conference of the Self-Respect Movement (SRM) was held at Maraimalai Nagar, Chengalpattu, on 4th October 2025. Notably, in 1925, Thanthai Periyar organized the first Madras Provincial Self-Respect Conference in the same
place — marking a historic continuity after one hundred years. The day’s proceedings began at 8:30 a.m. with a vibrant cultural programme on the stage named after SRM stalwart Pattukkottai Alagirisamy. Following this, after receiving the parade salute of Periyar Social Protection Front Cadres, Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani, President of the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK), hoisted the DK flag. Surrounded by thousands of black-shirted cadres, the 92-year-old leader was greeted with resonant ideological slogans.
Historical Exhibition – SRM
The exhibition titled “Social Revolution of the Self-Respect Movement” was inaugurated by Hon’ble T.M. Anbarasan, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Industrial Corporations, and Urban Habitat Development, Government of Tamil Nadu. The indoor proceedings commenced at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium named after SRM stalwarts Rajagiri G. Thangarasu and
A.G. Gopalsamy. P. Muthaiyan, Convenor of the Reception Committee, welcomed the gathering.
Portrait Unveiling
A symbolic portrait honoring the stalwarts of the Self-Respect Movement was unveiled by Pothanur K. Shanmugam, President of the Periyar Self-Respect Propaganda Institution. The centenarian icons, Pothanur K. Shanmugam (103 years) and Athur V. Gopal (104 years), were felicitated before a massive assembly of black-shirted cadres.
Inaugural Session
The Centenary Culmination proceedings were inaugurated by A. Raja, Member of Parliament and Deputy General Secretary of the DMK. Com. M. Veerapandian, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Tamil Nadu), released the annual Viduthalai souvenir commemorating the 147th birthday of Thanthai Periyar. Dr. Thol. Thirumavalavan, Member of Parliament and President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), released Global Leader Thanthai Periyar – Biography (Vol. 12). Felicitation addresses were delivered by Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah, MLA and President of the Manitha Neya Makkal Katchi (MNMK), and Vanthiathevan, Organising Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). The session concluded with the presidential address by Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani. M. Narasimhan, District Secretary of Dravidar Kazhagam, Chengalpattu, proposed the vote of thanks.
Resolution Session
he Resolution Session was presided over by V.Kumaresan, Treasurer of Dravidar Kazhagam, and coordinated by R. Jayakumar, State Co-ordinator. Twenty-eight vital resolutions were proposed by various district functionaries and unanimously endorsed by the assembled cadres through a standing ovation. The session then adjourned for lunch.
Seminar
The afternoon seminar focused on the theme “The Ill Effects of the RSS and the Panacea of the Self-Respect Movement.”
V. Panneerselvam, State Co-ordinator, welcomed the participants. The session was presided over by Advocate A. Arulmozhi,
Propaganda Secretary of Dravidar Kazhagam. Propagandists spoke on various topics: Dr. K. Anbalagan: Superstition Advocate S.M. Mathivadhani: Enslavement of Women R. Periyar Selvan: Religious Fanaticism Advocate Poovai Pulikesi: Manudharma Rama Anbalagan: Sanskritisation Advocate B. Maniammai: Caste-Untouchability Dr. P. Kathiravan: Social Injustice The session concluded with an in-depth and critical address by Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Member of Parliament and Deputy General Secretary of the DMK. Oomai Jayaraman, State Co-ordinator of Dravidar Kazhagam, proposed the vote of thanks.
Public Procession
A massive public procession commenced at 4:00 p.m. from the Anna Road–Pavendar Road junction. It was presided over by Nathiga
Ponmudi, Secretary, State Youth Wing and flagged off by R. Senthoorapandian, State Secretary of the Dravidar Students’ Federation.
Kalaimamani M. Kalaivanan, State President of the Rationalist Cultural Wing, led the mobile cultural performances and martial
art displays. Advocate S. Suresh coordinated the entire procession, which concluded at the Valedictory Thidal.
Valedictory Session
The session began with a video and cultural presentation titled “Century Witnessing Self-Respect Movement.”
V. Anburaj, General Secretary of Dravidar Kazhagam, welcomed the dignitaries and audience. Poet Kali. Poongundran, Vice-President of Dravidar Kazhagam, delivered the introductory address. The stone edict commemorating the Centenary of the Self-Respect Movement was unveiled by Hon’ble M.K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and President of the DMK. Two books — Centenary Celebration of Vaikom Agitation (a compilation of centenary events by the Governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and Global Leader Periyar – Biography Vol. 12 — were released by the Chief Minister, with copies received by Ministers A.V. Velu and T.M. Anbarasan. The Presidential Address, ‘The Dravidian Flame of SRM shall Never be extinguished’ was delivered by Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani. In his valedictory address titled “The Dravidian Call at the Centenary of the Self-Respect Movement,” Hon’ble Chief Minister M.K. Stalin upheld the enduring flame of the Movement. The massive audience listened with rapt attention. A. Sembian, District President of Dravidar Kazhagam, Chengalpattu, proposed the vote of thanks. The valedictory session was compered by Advocate S. Prince Ennares Periyar, Deputy General Secretary, Dravidar Kazhagam.The day-long event stood as a profound reminder of a century of the Self-Respect Movement.
