பெரியார் திடலில் ‘விடுதலை ஏட்டின்’ பத்திரிகை சுதந்திர பாதுகாப்பும் மற்றும் பாராட்டும் நிகழ்வில்! https://t.co/sGrtsMRPNf

DMK president M.K. Stalin participated in a special gathering held at Periyar Thidal in Chennai to celebrate the historic contributions of the rationalist daily Viduthalai and defend democratic press freedom. Stalin honored the ideological legacy of the publication founded by social reformer Thanthai Periyar, which has fearlessly championed social justice, rationalist thought, self-respect, and equal rights for the oppressed for decades. He emphasized that progressive journalism remains an indispensable pillar for safeguarding democratic values against reactionary forces.

Stalin expressed deep concern over the systematic threats and autocratic intimidation directed against independent journalists and media publications by ruling establishments. He remarked that authoritarian regimes increasingly view critical inquiry as hostility, using state machinery, arbitrary arrests, and administrative coercion to silence dissent. He asserted that defending editorial independence and freedom of speech is not merely an ideological preference but a vital democratic duty for all progressive movements.

Reaffirming the DMK's enduring ideological bond with the self-respect movement, Stalin commended Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani and the editorial team of Viduthalai for their steadfast resilience. He pledged that the DMK would always stand on the front lines to protect free expression and institutional integrity.