TN: Good Response to Cuba Solidarity Campaign
A Arumuga Nainar
THE people of Tamil Nadu have never lagged behind in expressing their steadfast support and solidarity with socialist countries across the globe – especially with Cuba. Over the years, our deep commitment to this cause has been as resolute as our condemnation of US imperialist hegemony and its inhumane, cowardly economic blockade against this small Caribbean island nation of just over ten million people.
This year, when the National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba (NCSC) decided to launch a nationwide campaign to express solidarity and raise funds in support of Socialist Cuba, serious efforts were undertaken to fulfill this urgent task.
With the permission of the NCSC, a mass meeting of supporters was convened on June 2, 2025, and a new state committee for Tamil Nadu was formed. The following office bearers were elected: G. Sukumaran (General Secretary, TN CITU) as honorary president; Rohini (cine artist) as president; A. Arumuga Nainar as general secretary and C P Krishnan as treasurer.
On June 20, at a small programme held to launch the solidarity campaign, senior leader of the CPI(M) T K Rangarajan, Polit Bureau members, K Balakrishnan and U Vasuki, P Shanmugam, state secretary of the CPI(M), along with members of the secretariat, state committee, and leaders of mass and class organisations, participated. Many Party members were also in attendance.
M A Baby, CPI(M) general secretary, officially launched the campaign, and called for donations to support the cause of Socialist Cuba. Remarkably, of the 75 comrades present, around 60 voluntarily contributed a total of Rs 3,30,600 to the Cuba Solidarity Fund. We are proud to share that the total fund collection has already surpassed one million rupees.
The state committee has called for a "Support Cuba Campaign" to be held on July 26 and 27, 2025. It is planned that no fewer than 100 teams in each district of Tamil Nadu will conduct a door-to-door campaign on these two days, distributing pamphlets and literature to express solidarity with Socialist Cuba and to condemn the hegemonic actions of the United States.
Significantly, July 26, known as "Moncada Day" commemorates the day in 1953 when Cuban revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara stormed the Moncada Barracks in a bold uprising against the dictatorship of Batista – a pivotal moment in the Cuban Revolution, which ultimately succeeded in 1959. Tamil Nadu will mark this historic day in a unique and powerful way by mobilising thousands of cadres to take to the streets and engage directly with the public in support of Cuba.
On July 11, the Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Cuba, visiting from Delhi, met with the CPI(M) state committee in Chennai. During his visit to the Party office, he was warmly felicitated and had interactions with all secretariat members present. He enthusiastically shared insights on the current situation in Cuba and stressed the urgent need for international solidarity, calling for support in various forms.
The Cuban envoy also met with the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to explore potential partnerships in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, agriculture, and sports. The response from the state government was positive, and the Republic of Cuba is expected to follow up on these discussions. The visit notably boosted the momentum of the campaign already underway in Tamil Nadu.
Reports from comrades across various districts reveal high levels of enthusiasm for the campaign and a strong flow of contributions to the solidarity fund. The NCSC has called for the campaign to culminate on August 13, marking the centenary of Comrade Fidel Castro, the legendary leader of the Cuban Revolution.
To commemorate the occasion, the Tamil Nadu state committee of the NCSC is planning a special event with participation from dignitaries across all sections of society. The collected funds will be officially handed over to Cuba during this event, which will also feature performances by cultural troupes, folk artists, and classical musicians – a fitting tribute to the enduring spirit of Cuba’s revolution and its deep connection with the people of Tamil Nadu.
