Latest news with #ViduthalaiChiruthaigalKatchi
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Arms borne by Naxals protect the tribals and Scheduled Castes, claims Thirumavalavan
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Monday said that along with the the Left parties, he opposes 'Operation Kagar' (to end Maoist insurgency). He believed that the arms borne by Naxals protect the tribals and members of the Scheduled Castes. Speaking at a protest organised in Egmore, Chennai, against security operation (and alleged excesses) to end Maoist insurgency, Mr. Thirumavalavan claimed Naxalbaris are not anti-people. According to him, they are comrades of the working people. 'You may hate them because they bear arms. But it is the arms they have in their hands that is protecting the tribals and members of the Scheduled Castes,' he claimed. 'If you are annihilating those who are supporting the tribals and [members of the] Scheduled Castes, how can we keep quiet? It is a different matter whether we agree with their point of view (decision to bear arms), but it is a conversation we would like to have with them. But they are living and sacrificing themselves for the people,' he contended. Mr. Thirumavalavan further said, 'BJP is our permanent enemy. We will never be a part of a BJP alliance because we respect Constitution.' According to him, 'they [the Sangh Parivar] want to destroy the Constitution. The Sangh Parivars can never accept the Left political ideology. This is why the VCK is standing with the Left. Operation Kagar cannot be justified in any manner.'
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Keezhadi report scientifically valid, says Thirumavalavan
The Keezhadi excavation report is grounded in scientific evidence and not a fabrication, and those demanding revisions without substantiating their claims are either ignorant or harbour hostility towards Tamil heritage, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters at the Tiruchi airport Mr. Thirumavalavan defended the Keezhadi report calling it a milestone in understanding Tamil civilization and its deep-rooted antiquity. 'Keezhadi is not a fictional tale or a doctored narrative. If someone finds contradictions, let them point them out clearly. Asking for revisions without basis only reveals either ignorance or a deliberate attempt to suppress Tamil identity,' he said. He asserted that Keezhadi, far from being controversial, presents clear archaeological data showing the sophistication of ancient Tamil society. Mr. Thirumavalavan also alleged that those influenced by North Indian mythologies find it hard to accept Keezhadi's implications because it challenges long-standing prejudiced narratives. 'Keezhadi suggests a Tamil society of rational, caste-free people. Those with blind faith in mythological dominance find this uncomfortable,' he charged. Answering a question on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's absence from earlier NITI Aayog meetings, Mr. Thirumavalavan said the decision [to stay away] was a legitimate symbolic protest against the Union government's step-motherly treatment of non-BJP ruled states. 'It was never intended as a permanent boycott, but a strong political statement. That approach need not continue in the same manner,' he said.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Thirumavalavan blames bureaucracy for ‘bias' against Scheduled Castes
Despite being an ally of the ruling DMK, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi had to knock on the doors of the judiciary to obtain permission to stage democratic protests. Its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan recently candidly said: 'It has taken 25 years to get recognised as a State party. Many say I don't know how to I don't know to blackmail and be in politics like [PMK founder] Dr. Ramadoss. We are in alliance with the DMK, but we aren't given permission to protest over the Vadakadu issue.' Mr. Thirumavalavan further said caste atrocities were being seen as a 'law and order' issue by the bureaucrats and police. A. Kathir, who runs the NGO Evidence, and participated in a protest organised by the VCK in Vadakadu, alleged there was political interference within the bureaucracy in caste-related issues. 'I wouldn't say that bureaucracy operates only on hate against Dalits, but it also takes into account electoral considerations. For instance, only 12 people (from around 11 villages) have been arrested out of 300 persons who were involved in the attack against Dalits [in Vadakadu]. Police have arrested one person from each village. Why? They are trying to mobilise non-Dalits against Dalits. Also, the FIR says it is a fight between two groups, not an attack on Dalits. These decisions are taken by the bureaucracy with political calculations,' he said. Observers feel that not holding the political establishment accountable and putting the interests of the party before that of the people it represents could affect the chemistry between the VCK and DMK cadre. VCK general secretary and Villupuram MP D. Ravikumar said, 'Forcing political parties to seek permission from the courts is, in a way, an evasion of responsibility. Shifting executive responsibility onto the judiciary is undesirable, as it may, in the long run, encourage judicial encroachment into executive functions.'
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vadakadu clash cannot be reduced to law and order issue: Thirumavalavan
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Monday (May 19, 2025) condemned the police having called the Vadakadu incident a non-caste clash. He said his party opposed treating the incident as a mere law and order issue. At a protest organised by his party at Thilagar Thidal in Pudukkottai, he alleged that during the Muthumariamman Temple festival, members of the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) entered the Scheduled Caste hamlet at Vadakadu, damaged property, and torched a hut belonging to a Dalit widow during the May 5 clash. He demanded that the case be transferred to the CB-CID. 'Secure the rights' Speaking to reporters before the protest, he urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to issue guidelines for the Collectors and police officers to deal with incidents of violence against the Scheduled Castes. 'The government must intervene in the court proceedings to secure the rights of the Scheduled Castes to the disputed Ayyanar Temple land and the adjoining public space at Vadakadu,' he said. Condemning the registration of First Information Reports against the Scheduled Caste victims, including college students, Mr. Thirumavalavan demanded disciplinary action against the police officers concerned. 'Across Tamil Nadu, government officials and the police often fail to respond adequately when Dalits are attacked. Hence, the Chief Minister must lay down standard protocols,' he said. 'Denying the caste dimension in such acts of violence amounts to denying justice to the victims,' he added. 'Moral obligation' On the recent Supreme Court remarks in a case related to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, Mr. Thirumavalavan criticised the court's statement that India is not a 'dharamshala' (shelter home). Giving refuge to those fleeing famine and conflict is a moral obligation of a country, he said. The United Nations had laid out guidelines in this regard. The court's remarks went against humanitarian values, he added. The Pudukkottai district police had denied permission for the protest. But the VCK obtained approval from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court and staged the protest as scheduled. It was led by Elamathi Ashokan, North Pudukkottai district secretary of the VCK.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vadakadu clash cannot be reduced to a law and order issue, says Thirumavalavan
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Monday condemned the police having called the Vadakadu incident a non-caste clash. He said his party opposed treating the incident as a mere law and order issue. At a protest organised by his party at Thilagar Thidal in Pudukkottai, he alleged that during the Muthumariamman Temple festival, members of the Most Backward Classes (MBCs) entered the Scheduled Caste hamlet at Vadakadu, damaged property, and torched a hut belonging to a Dalit widow during the May 5 clash. He demanded that the case be transferred to the CB-CID. 'Secure the rights' Speaking to reporters before the protest, he urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to issue guidelines for the Collectors and police officers to deal with incidents of violence against the Scheduled Castes. 'The government must intervene in the court proceedings to secure the rights of the Scheduled Castes to the disputed Ayyanar Temple land and the adjoining public space at Vadakadu,' he said. Condemning the registration of First Information Reports against the Scheduled Caste victims, including college students, Mr. Thirumavalavan demanded disciplinary action against the police officers concerned. 'Across Tamil Nadu, government officials and the police often fail to respond adequately when Dalits are attacked. Hence, the Chief Minister must lay down standard protocols,' he said. 'Denying the caste dimension in such acts of violence amounts to denying justice to the victims,' he added. 'Moral obligation' On the recent Supreme Court remarks in a case related to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, Mr. Thirumavalavan criticised the court's statement that India is not a 'dharamshala' (shelter home). Giving refuge to those fleeing famine and conflict is a moral obligation of a country, he said. The United Nations had laid out guidelines in this regard. The court's remarks went against humanitarian values, he added. The Pudukkottai district police had denied permission for the protest. But the VCK obtained approval from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court and staged the protest as scheduled. It was led by Elamathi Ashokan, North Pudukkottai district secretary of the VCK.
