Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi

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Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi
AbbreviationVCK
Social Justice
Tamil nationalism
Political positionSyncretic[2]
Colours  Blue
  Red
ECI StatusState Party[3]
Alliance
Seats in Lok Sabha
2 / 543
Seats in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
4 / 234
[4]
Election symbol
Party flag
Election symbol of VCK

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (transl. Liberation Panther Party; abbr. VCK), formerly known as the Dalit Panthers of India or the Dalit Panthers Iyyakkam (transl. Dalit Panthers Movement; abbr. DPI), is an Indian social movement and political party that seeks to combat caste based discrimination, active in the state of Tamil Nadu.[5] The party also has a strong emphasis on Tamil nationalism.[6][7] Its chairman is Thol. Thirumavalavan, a lawyer from Chennai, and its general secretary is the writer Ravikumar.[8][9][10]

History

The Dalit Panthers Iyyakkam was formed in 1982 in

Dalit Panthers of India, a social movement which itself had formed earlier in the 1970s in Maharashtra which itself was inspired by the Black Panther Party, a socialist movement that sought to combat racial discrimination in the United States.[13][14]

In 1989, after the death of the founder of Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), Thirumavalavan became its leader. In the 1990s the party grew by highlighting discrimination and caste-based violence. In 1999, VCK contested elections for the first time.[12]

VCK was allotted different election symbols in every election. In 2014, Madras HC ordered the Election Commission of India to consider VCK's request for star as their election symbol.[15]

Party principles

The main aim of the party is to abolish the differences among

Ambedkar cartoon, sparking a controversy in Parliament.[16][17]

Ahead of the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Thirumavalavan stated his willingness to form a coalition with any party apart from the DMK, AIADMK, BJP and PMK.[18]

Tamil Eelam

VCK formed Tamil Eelam Supporters Organization (TESO) along with DMK, DK, NTK, and demonstrated protests demanding credential probe into war time crimes against the Sri Lankan government during the war between LTTE and the Sri Lankan government.[19][20][21] Thousands of innocent Tamil people were brutally tortured and murdered during the war.[22] Many countries raised complaints against the Sri Lankan government in the United Nations International Criminal Court of Justice. VCK demanded that former Sri Lankan President Rajapakse should be charged with war crimes.[23][24] Many of its party men were arrested by Tamil Nadu police for creating public discomfort during protests against the Sri Lankan government. The party is heavily criticised for supporting LTTE and its leader Prabakaran, since LTTE is banned in India.

VCK is accused of promoting Tamil nationalism and supporting the banned group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[25][26][27][28][29][30] Although major Tamil political parties DMK and ADMK both are accused of indirectly supporting LTTE, VCK is accused of supporting LTTE leader openly in its party posters. The LTTE was involved in the assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. VCK Party has demanded the premature release of the assassination convicts along with major Tamil parties like NTK, MDMK, PMK, SMK, AIADMK and DMK. It has also celebrated the birth day of slain LTTE leader Prabakaran along with other Tamil parties.[31]

Controversies

In April 2019, members of the

Tirumavalavan after visiting the area, told the media that the PMK and Hindu Munnani were responsible for the violence.[33]

In December 2022, VCK protested the

Indian Constitution.[34]

Electoral performance

Lok Sabha elections

Year Seats won Percentage of votes Remarks
1999 - As Tamil Maanila Congress candidates
2004 - As Janata Dal (United) candidates
2009 0.18%
2014 0.11%
2019 0.8% Ravikumar (writer) contested in Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

symbol

2024 2.25%

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections

2006 Assembly election

Main article: 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election

2011 Assembly election

Main article: 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election

2016 Assembly election

Main article: 2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election

2021 Assembly election

Main article: 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election

See also

References

  1. ^ "How the VCK Emerged as More Than 'Just a Dalit Party' in the Tamil Nadu Elections". The Wire.
  2. ISBN 978-81-321-1886-2
    .
  3. ^ "List of Political Parties and Election Symbols main Notification Dated 18.01.2013" (PDF). India: Election Commission of India. 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Tamil Nadu polls: VCK wins four seats including two general constituencies". 4 May 2021.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-1-135-18201-4
    .
  6. ^ "Strong ingredients of Tamil nationalism in VCK manifesto". The Hindu. 24 March 2011.
  7. ^ "Tamil nationalism, then and now". Frontline.
  8. ^ "Business News Today: Read Latest Business news, India Business News Live, Share Market & Economy News". The Economic Times.
  9. ^ "Why caste battle in Tamil Nadu never ends". The Times of India.
  10. ISSN 0971-751X
    . Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  11. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7619-3323-6
    .
  12. ^ a b TK, Smitha (5 January 2021). "Decoding VCK, The Face of Assertive Dalit Politics in Tamil Nadu". The Quint. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  13. JSTOR 41497050
    .
  14. ^ Madhavan, Narayanan (5 June 2016). "How Muhammad Ali inspired India's Dalits". Hindustan Times.
  15. ^ "Madras HC orders ECI to consider VCK's request for star symbol". India TV News. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Row over Ambedkar-Nehru cartoon in NCERT textbook: Top 10 developments". NDTV.com.
  17. ^ Krishnakumar, G. (16 May 2012). "Parliament's stand on Ambedkar cartoon disturbing: Panikkar". The Hindu.
  18. ^ Nath, Akshaya (6 May 2015). "Tamil Nadu: Will Thirumavalavan be able to form coalition government in the state?". Saddahaq. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  19. ^ "TESO Observes Black Day to Protest Rajapaksa's Address". The New Indian Express.
  20. ^ "About listing". The Indian Express.
  21. ^ "VCK condemns MEA's letter to TESO Organizers to drop word Eelam". news.webindia123.com.
  22. ^ "Sri Lanka's hidden genocide | The Star". Toronto Star.
  23. ^ "Error". globaltamilnews.net.
  24. ^ "Thiruma calls Rajapaksa war criminal". The New Indian Express.
  25. ^ "Furore in TN assembly over VCK leader's remarks". Outlook (India).
  26. ^ "VCK Leader Calls for Support to Tamil Eelam". Outlook (India).
  27. ^ "PMK, VCK want ban on LTTE lifted". The Hindu. 18 October 2014.
  28. ^ "Lift ban on LTTE: VCK to Centre". Oneindia. 27 January 2008.
  29. ^ "Revoke ban on LTTE - VCK". dailymirror.lk.
  30. ^ "VCK man held for smuggling boat parts to LTTE in 2007". The Times of India.
  31. ^ "Naraka, Tamil Outfits Celebrate Slain LTTE Chief's Birthday". 27 November 2015. Archived from the original on 30 November 2015.
  32. ISSN 0971-751X
    . Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  33. ^ Rajasekaran, Ilangovan. "Dalits in Tamil Nadu village attacked for voting in election". Frontline. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  34. ^ "Indu Makkal Katchi functionary arrested for putting up posters of saffron-clad Ambedkar". The Times of India.

External links

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