A Arumuga Nainar
THE National Committee for Solidarity with Cuba (NCSC) gave a call in January 2025 for a grand celebration of the centenary of Fidel Castro. Since then, preliminary preparations have been underway in Tamil Nadu. It was decided to collect a solidarity fund to be sent to Cuba. The economic blockade and intimidatory tactics of US imperialism – extended even to countries maintaining relations with Cuba – have been further exacerbated by the whimsical trade and tariff wars initiated under the Trump regime. While the material assistance extended by friendly countries and their people may not fully overcome Cuba’s economic hardships, the solidarity campaign and fund collection drive would undoubtedly strengthen Cuba’s resolve to resist imperialism more vigorously than ever.
On June 20, a formal function was organised by the Tamil Nadu state committee of the NCSC. It was resolved there to launch a three-pronged, two-month-long campaign under the slogans: “Express Solidarity with Socialist Cuba,” “Oppose US Imperialist Onslaughts and Blockades against Cuba,” and “Celebrate the Centenary of Comrade Fidel Castro.” CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby attended this meeting. When the call for contributions to the Cuba solidarity fund was made, comrades present immediately donated Rs 3.3 lakhs on the spot.
On Moncada Day – July 26, 2025 – at the call of the CPI(M), a Cuba solidarity campaign was carried out across the state. Thousands of comrades formed groups and went door to door in towns and villages, meeting people, distributing pamphlets, and explaining the urgency of standing with Cuba. The response was overwhelming: within just a week or two, nearly Rs 2.5 crore was collected in support of Cuba.
As part of commemorating Fidel Castro’s birth centenary, a public function was organised in Chennai on August 12, 2025, at Raja Annamalai Mandram, the historic town hall near the Madras High Court. The venue was adorned with cut-outs and decorative arches featuring Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. A photo exhibition was inaugurated by Cuban Ambassador Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera. Before the formal programme began at 6:00 p.m., cultural performances were staged. Following the invocation of the Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the legendary nonagenarian mridangam maestro Umayalpuram Sivaraman presented a solo Thani Aavarthanam. Rohini, cine artist and social activist, presided over the programme as president of the NCSC Tamil Nadu Committee and welcomed the gathering.
In his inaugural address, K Balakrishnan, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M), said that support for Cuba is inseparable from the fight against imperialism. He recalled that the CPI(M) has never lagged behind in carrying forward the rich anti-imperialist traditions of the people of Tamil Nadu, and has consistently organised Cuba solidarity programmes on a massive scale. Eminent personalities from all walks of life – writers, journalists, cinema actors, cultural and music stalwarts, as well as leaders from nearly all political parties – have participated in these conclaves. Balakrishnan reminded the audience that in 2006, the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, attended a Cuba solidarity conference and even recited a long poem extolling the Cuban Revolution and the roles of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara – a moment still cherished by socialist-minded people of the state.
On this occasion, three books on Cuba, authored by E P Chithan, Deepalakshmi, and Kannan, and published by Bharathi Puthakalayam, were released. A cheque for Rs 25 lakhs, collected from the people of Tamil Nadu, was then handed over to CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby and Cuban diplomat Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera, amidst a standing ovation from the gathering.
Amidst these inspiring events, the chief guest, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin, rose to address the gathering. In his speech, he said: “I am very proud to participate in this Cuba solidarity conference. I am happy to be among comrades of the red flag on this occasion, to express solidarity with Cuba, to oppose imperialist conspiracies, and to inaugurate the celebrations of the centenary of the legendary Comrade Fidel Castro.”
In his address, Chief Minister M K Stalin recalled the 2006 Cuba solidarity conference, when his father, Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, had participated and recited a memorable poem paying rich tribute to Fidel Castro. He noted that when Fidel was alive, journalists had once asked Kalaignar which living revolutionary leader he most wished to meet. Without hesitation, Kalaignar had replied: “Fidel Castro.” Such was his deep admiration.
Stalin explained that in his poem, Kalaignar had described Cuba as a bee-hive of tiny islands. If anyone attacked the hive, he wrote, the bees would swarm instantly and sting the intruders. The ferocity with which the bees defended their hive, Kalaignar likened to the determination of revolutionaries like Fidel in defending Cuba. “I am personally very happy and privileged to participate in his centenary celebrations,” Stalin said. He concluded by saying, “I stand with you in upholding the three slogans – ‘Reiterate our resolve to oppose the economic blockade and sanctions of imperialism against Cuba’; ‘We express our solidarity with Socialist Cuba’; and ‘We greet the people of Cuba on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Fidel Castro.’”
Speaking next, CPI(M) General Secretary, M A Baby shared his experiences of Cuba from his visit to the country. He narrated how, during his discussions with Cuban youth, he asked them what they had gained from the revolution. Their responses, he recalled, reflected the achievements of socialism: free higher education, food security, opportunities for sports, universal healthcare, and above all, the belief that all human beings are equal. “Even the simple joy of accessing Cuba’s famous beaches – once restricted under Batista’s colonial rule – was made possible by the revolution,” Baby noted.
Other prominent speakers and invitees at the event included senior CPI(M) leader T K Rangarajan; R Mutharasan, state secretary of the CPI; senior journalist N Ram of The Hindu Group; CPI(M) Polit Bureau member U Vasuki; and the Cuban Ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by A Arumuga Nainar, secretary of the NCSC Tamil Nadu state committee. District secretaries from seven neighbouring districts, along with G Selva, secretary of the Central Chennai district, were also present in the hall packed with comrades and sympathizers.
