Naxals are fighting for rights of the marginalised, says Thirumavalavan

Challenging Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s repeated declarations of eradicating Naxalism, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan on Sunday described Naxalites as “comrades” and “sons of the soil”, who resist corporate exploitation and fight for the rights of marginalised communities.

On the fourth death anniversary of Father Stan Swamy, a statue in his honour was unveiled at the St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School in his native village of Viragalur. The event was organised by the Stan Swamy People’s Federation in collaboration with residents of the Viragalur panchayat.

“Dalits should be clear that Naxalites are not enemies of the nation. They are people who have taken up arms in defence of forest land, mineral wealth, and the rights of the Adivasis and Dalits. Naxals live in extreme hardship, not for personal gain, but to resist the looting of natural wealth by corporates,” Mr. Thirumavalavan said.

Mr. Thirumavalavan also said: “We may differ in methods with Naxals on their approach towards electoral politics, but our goals are aligned. What is wrong with having contact with them? How can such relationships be deemed anti-national or anti-people?” However, Stan Swamy was not associated with the Naxal movement, he maintained.

School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, addressing the gathering, urged everyone to uphold the legacy of Stan Swamy.

DMK MP Kanimozhi described the current struggle for human rights as “another freedom movement”, drawing parallels between historical revolutionaries and modern-day activists.

Saying that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s consistent opposition towards the Union government must be supported, she said: “This is not just electoral opposition; it is a fight for future generations. The legacy we must leave behind is not just land or wealth—but freedom, rights, and dignity.” Criticising the Centre, she alleged that it functioned “not for the people, but for corporates”.

“Any voice raised against corporate exploitation is silenced—through intimidation, false cases, or even murder. Anyone who questions the BJP is branded anti-national or an urban Naxal. If that is the label for speaking truth, we can wear it with pride.”

Leaders from various political parties, including CPI State President R. Mutharasan, CPI(M) leader P. Shanmugham, Kolathur Mani of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Lalgudi MLA Soundarapandian, and MLA Inigo Iruthayaraj, along with human rights activist Henry Tiphagne, also addressed the gathering.