Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder Thol. Thirumavalavan has rejected the charge that his party has been “too soft” on its ally, the ruling DMK, despite periodic instances of crimes against Dalits.
In an an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Thirumavalavan recalled that the party had mobilised 5,000 people and organised two protests in Vengaivayal issue. “In Krishnagiri district, there has been a spate of continuous attack on Dalits, including more than 10 murders. The party organised a protest mobilising over 10,000 people in Hosur recently. In southern districts, we have organised protests in Madurai and Tirunelveli against atrocities on Dalits. To say that we haven’t protested (against the ruling DMK) is nothing but political grudge against the VCK. We cannot hold just the ruling party responsible for atrocities against Dalits as they continue to happen irrespective of whether DMK or AIADMK is in power,” he said.
At its recent high-level executive committee meeting in Chennai, the VCK adopted two resolutions critical of the State government. The resolutions criticised the “increasing instances” of caste-atrocities against Adi Dravidars across Tamil Nadu, especially in southern districts due to “Sanathana forces”. It also urged the State to take steps to hand over of ‘Panchami’ lands to Dalits, pass SC/ST sub-plan laws in the Assembly and conduct socio-economic caste census. The party also called for ending proliferation of drugs not just in urban but also in the rural parts.
