S P Rajendran
THE 24th Party Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) concluded with a magnificent display of revolutionary fervour in Madurai on April 6, 2025. Over the course of the five-day congress, beginning April 2, the ancient city – revered as the 'Athens of South India' – was transformed into a sea of red as hundreds of thousands of comrades gathered for the grand finale.
VACHATHI WARRIORS LEAD HISTORIC RED VOLUNTEER PROCESSION
Led by The red volunteer procession began at 4 pm near Pandi Koil Elgot, with the Vachathi women fighters officially inaugurating the rally by waving the red flag amidst thunderous revolutionary slogans. These brave warriors – Jaya (48), Amarakka (51), Muthuvedi (51), Saroja (52), Palaniyammal (53), Mallika (51), Selvi (49), Kanthimathi (51), Kanthi (50), Pappathi (53), Chitra (52), another Pappathi (53), Thenmozhi (53), Lakshmi (50), Poongodi (52), Mari (49), Suguna (52), and Kamsala (52) – represent the indomitable spirit of resistance against State oppression.
Thirty-three years ago, these tribal village women were subjected to various forms of violence and sexual assault by forest, revenue, and police officials. Under the CPI(M) leadership, they fought for three decades, resulting in a historic judgment that sentenced 215 perpetrators to prison terms – an unprecedented achievement in India's judicial history.
The procession was organised with military-like precision, with volunteers divided into regiments named after revolutionary leaders including Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Singaravelar, P Ramamoorthy, Jyoti Basu, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, N Sankaraiah, K P Janakiammal, P Srinivasa Rao, R Umanath, Pappa Umanath, Captain Lakshmi, V P Chintan, P R Parameswaran, K M Haripat, Madurai martyr Leelavati, Maithili Sivaraman, Somasundaram, and Sembulingam.
In a creative display, some contingents installed LED lights on their banners to ensure the faces of revolutionary leaders remained visible even after sunset. By 6:30 pm, as darkness descended, the red shirts and flags cut through the darkness, creating a breath-taking spectacle that captivated onlookers.
The procession revealed the true character of the CPI(M) as a Party rooted in the working classes. Eswari (52), an agricultural labourer from Tiruppur district, shared: "Despite not receiving our wages for three months, each of us contributed Rs 1,300 to come by bus. We've spent our own money to attend the congress of the Party that fights for us."
Firewood workers and farmers from Tiruvallur district revealed they saved small amounts over three months to contribute Rs 1,000 each for transportation. V K Sukumaran (92) from Alappuzha, who has participated in every Party congress, waited with a flag to watch the procession, stating he would leave only after the public meeting concluded.
TRIUMPH OF REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT
The 3-kilometre procession reached the public meeting grounds near Masthan Patti at the Vandiyur Ring Road toll gate, with the first contingent arriving at 6:08 pm and the entire procession passing through by 7:10 pm. The meeting at Comrade N Sankaraiah Memorial Grounds transformed the venue into a sea of red, with Tamil Nadu State Secretary P Shanmugam presiding over it.
Cultural performances by Pudhukai Boopalam Troupe, Comrade Gangsta Music Group, and Kumari Murasu Art Troupe energised the massive gathering despite intermittent rain.
In his address, newly elected General Secretary M A Baby noted, "Today, the Vaigai River has turned into a red sea; the Vaigai has become a sea of humanity." As rain began to fall, Baby declared, "I am reminded of Bharati's poem: 'Fear not, fear not, never fear, even if the sky crashes down on our heads!'" The crowd cheered as he continued despite the downpour.
Recalling the Keezh Venmani massacre, Baby said, "When I was 14, 44 people were burned to death in Keezh Venmani. Dalit labourers who were suffering, united under the red flag against the caste oppression and class exploitation of the landlords. The landlords plotted saying, 'Lower your red flag, and we will give you wage increases.' The people firmly resolved, 'Even if we lose our lives, we will never lower the red flag.' Enraged, they burned 44 people including women, children, and elders. The red flag soaked in their blood is the same flag hoisted at this 24th Party Congress."
Baby highlighted that 25 per cent of the world's population is either directly under the red flag or moving towards it, with countries like Cuba, North Korea, Laos, China, and Vietnam under socialism, and progressive forces gaining ground in Latin America, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
However, he emphasized that despite these advances, fascist forces still hold power at the national level in India. "We must examine our weaknesses, correct them, and connect with the people. We must gain people's support." Baby called for support to the nationwide General Strike on May 20 against the Modi government's anti-worker policies.
Senior leader Brinda Karat declared: "With the flag of sacrifice held high in our hearts, we will lead the struggle for the people. We will never retreat under any circumstances!" Wearing a ‘keffiyeh’ symbolising solidarity with Palestine, she explained it represented opposition to imperialism and genocide.
Brinda emphasised that the Madurai Party Congress was a congress of unity and determination to protect secularism, federalism, democracy, and the rights of marginalised communities. She paid tribute to 22 comrades who sacrificed their lives since the last Party Congress - 11 killed by Trinamool goons in West Bengal, four in Kerala (including two murdered by RSS), and others killed by landlords in Bihar and Jharkhand.
"Madurai has a history of great martyrs," Brinda reminded the gathering. "We must always remember Thooku medai Balu, Mari, Manavalan, and Leelavati. This is the flag of sacrifice, the flag of struggle, the flag of people's service."
Kerala Chief Minister and Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the fraternal relationship between Kerala and Tamil Nadu in fighting against the central government's encroachment on states' rights and protecting federalism.
Vijayan sharply criticised the ruling regime: "Those in power are spreading communal poison to destroy India's pluralism. They amended the Waqf Board Act to attack the Muslim community and try to incite one religion against another to divide people."
He revealed the RSS's strategy to divide minority communities: "The RSS's 'Organiser' website published content claiming Catholic Christians own vast amounts of land, which they later removed. They try to divide Muslims and Christians against each other to undermine unity and implement their agenda."
Vijayan warned that what is happening in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Manipur could happen elsewhere if people don't unite. "Muslims are attacked in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, while Christians face attacks in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Manipur continues to burn. If we don't understand this, what is happening there could happen to us tomorrow."
Polit Bureau member K Balakrishnan questioned Prime Minister Modi's right to speak about Tamil Nadu's development: "Modi inaugurated the Pamban Bridge today, but also buried the Sethusamudram project, which would have brought major industrial development to southern Tamil Nadu. If he really cares about Tamil, is he ready to declare all 22 recognised languages, including Tamil, as official languages?"
Balakrishnan accused Modi of betraying Tamils by denying Rs 37,000 crore for natural disasters over four years and working against Tamil people through the three-language policy and NEET. He pledged support to Chief Minister M K Stalin's actions against attacks on federalism but urged the DMK to take a stronger stand against corporate economic policies.
He highlighted that over 20 million educated youth in Tamil Nadu are struggling without proper jobs, working on contract for meagre pay without guarantees, and urged young people to rally under the red flag movement for a better future.
Tamil Nadu State Secretary P Shanmugam announced a state-wide protest on April 17 against the central government's Waqf Board Act amendments, which he described as unconstitutional and designed to harass Muslims and disrupt communal harmony.
Shanmugam highlighted the extraordinary fundraising efforts for the congress: "Party members went house to house to raise funds and also contributed their own funds. Supporters raised several lakhs of rupees. Thousands of children donated their piggy bank savings for the congress."
He also drew attention to resolutions to protect the Forest Rights Act from dilution attempts and to defend the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme from dismantling through fund reductions and beneficiary cuts.
Su.Venkatesan, MP and secretary of the Reception Committee, delivered welcome address and Madhukkur Ramalingam, treasurer, gave a vote of thanks.
The successful conclusion of the 24th Party Congress demonstrated CPI(M)'s organisational strength and deep roots among the working classes. From the emotional inauguration by Vachathi warriors to the massive public meeting that continued despite rain, the congress showcased the indomitable communist spirit.
The participation of comrades who travelled long distances, contributed their hard-earned money, and stood firm throughout, underscored that CPI(M) remains a party built on sacrifice rather than opportunism. As red flags pierced through the darkness of Madurai's evening, they symbolised determination to light the way forward in challenging times.
With newly elected leadership and clear resolutions against fascist forces, for workers' rights, against communal division, and for protection of India's federal structure, the 24th Party Congress has set the stage for intensified struggles ahead. The revolutionary culmination in Madurai will be remembered as a historic moment when the party reaffirmed its pledge never to retreat from the fight for justice, equality, and people's welfare.
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