Tue Apr 01 18:30:01 UTC 2025: ## CPI(M)’s 24th Congress Opens in Madurai with Tribute to Martyrs
**Madurai, April 2, 2025** – The 24th Party Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) commenced in Madurai today with a poignant tribute to fallen comrades. A ceremonial procession featuring torches from five locations, symbolizing the sacrifices made in the fight against inequality and discrimination, marked the opening. Senior leaders carried these torches to the ‘Thozhar’ P. Ramamoorthy memorial stage, commemorating martyrs such as ‘Thozhar’ Singaravelar and those from Salem prison, Kovai Chinniyampalayam, and Madurai.
The event also inaugurated three exhibitions: one tracing the CPI(M)’s history from its roots in India’s early trade union movement, another showcasing the contributions of women in the communist movement, and a third highlighting archaeological findings from Keeladi and other excavations in Tamil Nadu. Veteran journalist N. Ram and senior journalist V. Parameswaran inaugurated the exhibitions.
The historical exhibition detailed key moments, including the formation of India’s first trade union, the early affiliations of key communist figures with the Communist International, and the swearing-in of E.M.S. Namboodiripad as Kerala’s first Chief Minister. It also highlighted struggles for land reform and the party’s role during the Emergency.
The exhibition on women in the communist movement featured prominent national and international figures, from Jenny Marx to Captain Lakshmi Sahgal and Brinda Karat. A separate exhibition showcased Tamil Nadu’s archaeological history. A sculpture commemorating the Keezhvenmani massacre served as a stark reminder of past tragedies. The event provided an opportunity for delegates from across India to learn about the party’s history.
First Piper 