Latest news with #MarumalarchiDravidaMunnetraKazhagam
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko spoke for Tamils, marginalised in Parliament for 30 years, says Durai Vaiko
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) principal secretary and Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko on Friday said party founder Vaiko had spent three decades in Parliament voicing the concerns of Tamils and marginalised communities. His tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP formally ended earlier this week. Addressing the media at the Coimbatore airport, Durai Vaiko said his father first entered Parliament in 1978 with the support of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi. 'From interlinking of rivers and Eelam Tamils to labour rights and social justice, he raised issues that mattered to the people,' he said. He recalled that Vaiko had introduced a private member bill on river-linking and was among the first to demand a national holiday on May Day. Durai Vaiko added that the MDMK would hold a large public conference in Tiruchi on September 15. 'It will be an important moment in the run-up to the Assembly elections. Strengthening the party's organisation is our focus now.' To a question about Mallai Sathya he said, 'Let us not get caught in diversions. Our concern is with the people's issues. That's what we will speak about.' On alliance talks and seat-sharing, he said discussions had not begun and the party would comment at the appropriate time.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko to lead State-wide campaigns on Tamil Nadu's livelihood issues
The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), on Friday (July 25, 2025), announced that party general secretary Vaiko is set to lead a series of campaigns at eight locations across Tamil Nadu. In a statement, the party said, in a bid to defend Tamil Nadu's livelihood interests and safeguard democracy, Mr. Vaiko will lead campaigns beginning in Thoothukudi on August 9, demanding the ouster of the Sterlite copper plant. He will also lead campaigns in Kadaiyanallur on secularism and federalism; in Cumbum on the Mullaperiyar dam and the India-based Neutrino Observatory project; in Dindigul on the struggles of farmers and fishermen; in Kumbakonam on the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery by the Karnataka government and on coalbed methane extraction; in Neyveli on issues related to the Neyveli Lignite Corporation; in Tiruppur opposing Hindi imposition; and in Chennai on social justice and the legacy of the Dravidian movement, the statement added.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko urges Centre to find permanent solution to fishermen issue in Palk Bay
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) urged the Union government to take immediate steps to secure the release of all Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan authorities, along with their boats, and to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government to retrieve the Katchatheevu island. According to a press release, Mr. Vaiko, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, drew the attention of the Centre to the increasing number of mid-sea arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy at Palk Bay. A total of 150 fishermen had been arrested since the beginning of this year, he said. Their families were facing severe financial distress and forced to pay hefty fines imposed by the Sri Lankan authorities to secure the release of their relatives, Mr. Vaiko said. The Sri Lankan Navy continues to act aggressively, violating the traditional rights of the Tamil Nadu fishermen. To prevent such arrests in the future and to protect the rights of the fishing community, the Union government should find a permanent solution to this issue, he said. Further, the Union government should exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to provide compensation to the families of those killed by the Sri Lankan Navy in the last 10 years and to those whose boats were damaged, he added.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MDMK leader Vaiko visits Ajith Kumar's family
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko visited the family of custodial death victim B. Ajith Kumar at their home in Madapuram, Sivaganga on Tuesday. He handed over ₹1 lakh to the family. Speaking to media later, he said: 'Police's inhumane treatment of a youth which has cost him his life is highly condemnable.' Unless the police were given severe punishment, such incidents cannot be prevented in future, he added that he was hopeful that the judiciary would bring the accused under law. As the State police could play down the murder, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's order for transfer of the case to CBI was appropriate, he stated. Earlier, Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram visited the family and expressed his condolences for the family's loss. Addressing the media, he said the murder of the youth was a result of the colonial mindset of the police department. Claiming that custodial torture was a continuation of the colonial practice to subdue the citizens through any means, Mr. Chidambaram said it was unfortunate that it is continuing even after 75 years of Indian Independence. 'Through an overhaul of the police system, the police personnel should be retrained to educate them about new scientific operating procedures, new techniques, among others,' he added. The training should cover the entire police system, starting from Director General of Police to a constable, he noted. It was no wonder that people fear seeking help from the police, given the circumstances.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko condemns RSS general secretary's call for removal ‘secular', ‘socialist' from Preamble
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Friday condemned Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale for suggesting to remove the words 'secular' and 'socialist' that were inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, during the Emergency. Referring to the recent speech of Mr. Hosabale who had questioned the inclusion of these two terms, claiming that they were not part of the original Preamble and should be deleted, Mr. Vaiko said: 'The RSS and other Hindutva forces have been consistently calling to rewrite the Constitution to impose their idea of a Hindu Rashtra, aimed at dismantling India's pluralistic character and imposing a homogenous national identity based on one religion, one language, one culture, and one nation.' Referring to a Supreme Court verdict that upheld the power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution under Article 368 includes amending the Preamble as well, Mr. Vaiko, in a statement, alleged that the BJP government's actions over the last ten years have undermined the core values of the Constitution such as sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy, republic, equality, fraternity, dignity, and national unity. He said 'Democratic and progressive forces across the country should come together and oppose the Hindutva forces' attempts to subvert the Constitution.'
