Vaiko

Vaiko
With W.R.Varadarajan
Born	Vai Gopalsamy 22 May 1944 (age 69) Kalingapatty, Tirunelveli district, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	prominent politician in Tamil Nadu
Political party	Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK)
Spouse(s)	Renuka Devi
Children	Vaiyapuri Rajalakshmi Kannagi
Website
MDMK.org.in

Vaiko (born Gopalasamy, 22 May 1944) is a prominent politician in Tamil Nadu, in south India. He is the founder of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), a political party that espouses the cause of the Tamil people and Tamil nationalism. He is known to be a supporter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which is banned as a terrorist organization in 32 countries including India, and as a result he was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) in 2002 and once again on 23 October 2008 for sedition.^[1]

Early life and education

He was born as V.Gopalasamy in Kalingapatty, Tirunelveli district, Madras Presidency, on 22 May 1944.^[2][3][4] After graduating with a BA degree in literature from the St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, he completed his MA from Presidency College, Chennai and his Bachelor of Law from the Madras Law College (now Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai).

Achievements in studies

Gold Medal in Economics and Best Speaker Award in St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai in 1964.

First Prize in Tamil Nadu Inter-Collegiate Tamil Oratorical Competitions,1964–65 and 1965-66 representing Presidency College,Madras.

First Prize –Silver Cup in Inter-Collegiate Elocution Competition conducted by Madras City Police to celebrate Road safety week in 1965.

Best orator Award in Law College, Madras in 1969.

Made his first speech on stage at the age of Eight in the presence of Krishna Doss Gandhi who came to his village Kalingappatti for the Bhoomi Dhaan Movement.

Personal life

He married Renuka Devi on 14 June 1971. They have a son Vaiyapuri and two daughters Rajalakshmi and Kannagi...

Political career

Vaiko was formerly seen as the ideological protege of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi. He entered the Rajya Sabha in 1978 and has been member of the Upper House for three terms. He has also been elected to the Lok Sabha twice.^[3] He was praised by many notable parliamentarians such as, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L. K. Advani are among the few. Vaiko's thundering speech on the need for a separate land for Tamils, melted The heart of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who promised him that necessary action would be taken.

Around 1990s,Vaiko became very popular among the DMK cadres for his clean image, fore-thoughts, vision, efficient oration and self-disciplined character.

In 1993 Vaiko started MDMK . Later on, changing political circumstances didn't give proper changes to Vaiko's political fortune. Irrespective of his political ups and downs, He has been considered by the people around him as honest politician.

Tiger Of Parliament

Vaiko was known as Tiger Of Parliament as he was a vociferous speaker in Parliament. both in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

He defended the honour of M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in Parliament when the then Sri Lankan President Jayawardene spoke ill of him. He explained his support of MGR by saying, He (MGR) might be my opponent in politics but he is my Chief Minister and a visiting dignitary could enjoy our hospitality and leave but shouldn't criticize our local leaders on our soil. Vaiko stopped criticizing MGR personally after MGR started helping the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

He was also quick to chide and silence a member in Parliament when he spoke ill of Sanjay Gandhi after his demise. He also spoke highly of Indira Gandhi's gesture in visiting the dead co-pilot's house and spending time with his parents when her own son Sanjay was lying in state.

Positions held in parliament (1978-2004)

Vaiko was a sitting member in the Rajya Sabha for eighteen years continuously and the Loksabha for six years. He has served on many committees during his parliamentary terms.

Year	Positions Held
1978-1996	Member, Rajya Sabha (three terms)
1982-1984	Member, Railway Convention Committee (two terms)
1983-1984	Member, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
1986-1987	Member, Committee on Petitions; Member, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table
1998-1999	Elected to 12th Lok Sabha (1st term)Leader, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Lok Sabha
1998-1999	Member, Committee on External Affairs and its Sub-Committee-I; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Industry
1999-2004	Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (2nd term)Leader, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Lok Sabha
1999-2000	Member, Committee of Privileges;Member, Committee on Defence;Member, Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests
2000-2001	Member, Committee on Ethics

Public Service and accomplishments As Loksabha MP (1998-2004)

May 1st

Vaiko appealed to the then PM V. P. Singh to declare May 1 as a national holiday, to which the PM heeded and from then on it became a national Holiday to celebrate the International Labour Day.

Privatization of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation

Vaiko was solely responsible for stopping the privatization of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation by the central government by arguing against it’s proposed privatization with the then PM Vajpayee.

Stamp Release

Vaiko was solely responsible in getting the Indian Government to release stamps in honour of Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan, P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja (former chief minister of Madras State), Freedom Fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Muhammad Ismail (popularly known as Quaid-e-Milleth). He also has made repeated representation to release stamps of O. P. Ramaswamy Reddiyar, Kalki, Maaveeran Puli Thevar, T. K. Chidambaranatha Mudaliar( popularly known as Rasigamani TKC) and others.

He persuaded the Central Govt to give Permission for a Memorial building for Perunthalaivar K. Kamaraj at Kanyakumari.

Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project

It was on his request at the 1998 Renaissance Rally and meeting in Chennai, the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave an assurance on that Dais that the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project would be implemented.

Industries

Vaiko fought for the rights of the small and cottage industry Matchbox manufacturers of Sivakasi.
He took up the cause of the firecracker units with the PM,he arranged for the representatives of the industry to meet the PM to air their grievances. On his request then Finance minister of India Yashwant Sinha added Spinning mills also as eligible for finance from the financial package set up for Indian Textiles’ Technological development .

Interlinking National Rivers

Vaiko was the first member to introduce a private member’s bill in Parliament to interlink all the National Rivers.
He asked the Central Govt to Nationalize all the rivers of India in a speech in Parliament. He brought this issue to the house through a private members bill.

Reduction of Loksabha seats

He was instrumental in blocking the reduction of Loksabha seats for Tamil Nadu from 39 to 33 .He took up this cause with the then PM Vajpayee who gave him an assurance that he will personally take up the matter and that Tamil Nadu would not lose SIX Parliamentary seats.

External Affairs

Vaiko has been responsible for rescuing many Indians lodged in foreign prisons.Nine of those rescued had been given the death sentence in Malaysia for crimes they didn't commit.
He persuaded the Arab govt to mitigate the Death sentence given to Paul Nadar and succeeded.

HealthCare

President-Citizen’s Forum for Rehabilitation of Physically Handicapped Through this forum, Vaiko conducted three camps for the treatment of physically handicapped people in Sivakasi .The first one was from 29.1.1999 to 2.2.1999and the second was from 26.6.1999 to 1.7.1999.The logistics were arranged by him for all the people .Over 500 operations were performed in Sivakasi by the doctors who came from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams under the Leadership of Dr.Jegadeesh.

A further 2000 Handicapped were chosen for Operation at the Tirupathi centre .The funds for their travel, treatment and stay there for a month were taken care of by Vaiko.A total of 8000 handicapped were treated in these three camps.

With the help of then Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (India) Mrs. Menaka Gandhi, Hundreds of Handicapped were given Three Wheel Cycles, Wheel Chairs and Crutches.

A total of 324 persons in his constituency received funds from The PM ‘s relief fund for heart and Kidney operations on his recommendation.

Organized Hepatitis B “Free Vaccination Camp” in which 65,000 Children ( below 12 years) had been Immunized in Sivakasi Parliamentary constituency .Each child was given three doses over three scheduled days .The logistics and the camp were conducted without a single glitch. The funds for the camps were arranged by Vaiko.

Organized Many Eye Camps in Sivakasi Parliamentary Constituency with the help of Rotarians.

For Studies

Vaiko organised free Tutorial Camps for students taking their school Final exams, for those taking Medical and Engineering entrance examinations and for those preparing for civil services exams.
He was instrumental in helping to promote colleges in his constituency.
He brought Internet to Sivakasi and Virudhunagar and an internet intelligence node at Sivakasi .After Chennai and Kovai it was the Third place in the state to get this facility.

Railways

Vaiko was solely responsible in getting the Railways to convert the meter gauge railway line from Virudhunagar to Sengottai and Tenkasi to Tiruchendur to broad Gauge at a cost of Rs.400 crores .The Railways had earlier rejected these projects as financially unavailable. The then Railway minister Nitish Kumar in a meeting in Virudhunagar on 17.6.99 to lay the foundation stone of the gauge conversion work of Virudhunagar-Kollam; Tenkasi-Thiruchendur; broad gauge scheme, mentioned in his speech that due to the Herculean effort of his friend Vaiko, this scheme, which was a dream project of Vaiko, came to fruition.

Vaiko was solely responsible for building Two Railway Line crossing Flyovers in Kovilpatti and one in Virudhunagar which were the wishes of the people for more than 30 years . All of them were multi crore projects.He has got the sanction for another muliti crore Flyover in Kovilpatti. He got the express trains to stop at Sattur and He got an assurance from the Railway minister to convert the Virudhunagar-Aruppukkottai-Manamadurai meter gauge rail line to broad gauge

He persuaded the Indian Railways to allot berths to the on duty ticket examiners (TTE) who were for all these years given only a seat to sit through their night journeys on trains.

Private Member's Bill

Vaiko brought a private member’s bill in parliament to give reservation for Dalit Christians.
He brought a private member’s bill to do away with the censoring of letters by Govt.

Infrastructure

Vaiko brought Rajiv Gandhi Drinking water scheme to the constituency with Rs.40 crore funding, As a result this,505 villages received drinking water through this scheme.Using the funds allotted to MP's he built School buildings,Overhead water tanks,Community Halls and other public conveniences numbering 913 in his constituency. He was solely responsible in improving the rural roads in his constituency with funds from rural road development schemes and from NABARD and converting the Thirumangalam-Thiruvilliputtoor-Rajapalayam highway into a National Highway.

Other Remarkable Achievements

Vaiko persuaded the Indian govt to scrap the death sentence of Gurusamy Naicker a direct descendant of Veera Pandia Kattabomman and succeeded.He made the Central Govt to reinstate 156 Postal workers as permanent workers in TamilNadu .They were dismissed after being kept as temporary workers for a long time.

Due to his strenuous effort 15,000 households that were denied ration cards in his constituency were issued ration cards. On the request of his constituents he got 7400 Gas connections at a single time as a special allotment. This was at a time when an Upper limit of only 160 connections were allowed per year.Vaiko was instrumental in banning import of Tea and Rubber from Srilanka that would have hurt our domestic manufacturers.

He has vociferously fought for the Kaveri river water Tribunal’s Interim orders to be implemented.Vaiko has taken up the cause of Ullaar, Mullai Periyar,and other water projects to safe guard the rights of Tamilnadu farmers.He spoke many times in Parliament for waiving Farmer’s loans, to raise the budgetary allocation for Tamil Nadu Railway projects, on the need to return ownership of Mercantile Bank to the Nadar community. He also took up their cause, from the beginning, with the PM. He brought the plight of the southern candidates in appearing for staff selection exams to the notice of the govt and got the govt to change the pattern of exams.

He was solely responsible for the govt allocating Rs.13 crores for the development of Rajapalayam and Sivakasi Municipalities.When a bill was brought in Parliament detrimental to the minorities he got it to be scrapped at the introduction stage itself by speaking and voting against it, though he was with the treasury benches. By his petitions in the supreme court on the POTA case he got the court to say that mere oral support for a banned organization isn’t wrong. Through this, he has safeguarded the freedom of speech enshrined in our constitution.

Protests

MDMK party cadres are considered as the most disciplined party workers in Tamil Nadu, with not a single riot or attach on any public or private properties. Vaiko has organized a large number of protests in various forms, and each one of them completed peacefully. Most popular of them are nadaipayanam (Padayatra in Hindi), public meetings, fasting, raising public awareness through distributing pamphlets and CDs.

Mullai Periyar Dam Issue

Vaiko has been protesting Kerala's demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar in the state's Idukki district citing safety concerns about the 116-year-old existing reservoir.

Vaiko complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 5 December that Kerala government was creating "panic and fear psychosis" among the people on the Mullaperiyar Dam issue while contending that dam was safe. In a memorandum submitted to Singh, Vaiko spoke in detail about the Supreme Court verdict that allowed the Tamil Nadu Government to raise the level of the dam from the existing 136 ft to 142 ft and steps being taken to strengthen the dam with "sophisticated technology". He also demanded that the Centre deploy personnel of Central Industrial Security Force to guard the dam,

Vaiko went on a daylong fast in Tamil Nadu's Theni district on 8 December 2011. Thousands of farmers in and around the area also gathered at the fast venue to extend their support to the leader.

Stressing that Kerala was dependent on Tamil Nadu for commodities such as rice, milk, meat, poultry products, vegetables and fruits, Mr. Vaiko listed the number of trucks transporting them to Kerala, “which is bestowed with natural resources and not adequate cultivable land." “If Tamil Nadu has to go without water, naturally Kerala will have to go without food. The day the Mullaperiyar dam is demolished, national integration will be in question and any emotional outburst will have serious chain reactions on both sides.” Vaiko warned of an economic blockade against Kerala if it stayed adamant on its stand to build a new dam.Meanwhile, Vaiko urged Tamil fraternity not to attack Malayalis living in the state. He also warned Kerala against attacking pilgrims to Sabarimala. "Kerala must ensure safety of Tamils living there. Malayalis in Tamil Nadu also must remain safe, he said.

He announced a one-day symbolic economic blockade of all the 13 entrance points to Kerala on 21 December. Vaiko led the day-long blockade in Kumili with P Nedumaran while the blockade in Coimbatore was led by Kolathur Mani and K Ramakrishnan.

Pambar and Siruvani River

Kerala proposed building of dams in Pambar and Siruvani. Opposing Kerala's government decision, Vaiko conducted an awareness campaign near Amaravathy dam in Udumalpet on 25 June 2012. Vaiko told that MDMK would even resort to blocking movement of trucks carrying essential commodities bound for Kerala if the authorities do not drop the plan to build new dams.Vaiko claimed that the proposed dams in Pambar, the main contributor to Amaravathy dam, and Siruvani River, feeder of perennial Bhavani River, would adversely affect normal life in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts. He also warned of severe shortage of drinking water and irrigation in these districts if Kerala goes ahead with the projects.

Protest against Rajapakshe's visit to Madhya Pradesh

On September 11, 2012, the Government of Madhya Pradesh announced Srilankan President Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit the ancient religious town of Sanchi in Vidisha district on 21 September 2012 to lay the foundation stone of the Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies.Vaiko wrote a letter to Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting him to cancel Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit, as people in Tamil Nadu hold him responsible for the killing of large number of Tamils in the island nation. Vaiko requested him not to hurt the sentiments of Tamils by inviting Mr. Rajapaksa to the event. He also blamed Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Vidisha MP Sushma Swaraj for inviting the Sri Lankan President. Vaiko announced he would visit Sanchi with “busloads of protesters.” Ms. Swaraj distanced herself from the row saying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and not she, had invited Mr. Rajapaksa.

Chouhan wrote to Vaiko requesting to give up the protest claiming that the programme at Sanchi is totally apolitical in nature, as it was aimed at bringing together civilisations of several Asian countries. Chouhan also said that his government has extended invitation to the heads of nearly 15 Asian countries including the prime minister of Bhutan, who will be at Sanchi to take part in the programme.

Turning down the request made by Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Vaiko to call off his party's protest against Rajapaksa, MDMK workers on 17 September left for Sanchi to demonstrate black flag protest against Rajapaksha's visit. Vaiko said the invitation extended to Rajapaksa by the BJP-ruled state government was "unpardonable and unjustified". Nearly 1000 people in 41 buses have left Chennai's Marina Beach after paying respect to Anna Durai for Sanchi to stage a peaceful demonstration.

Along with hundreds of his supporters, Vaiko entered the MP border from Maharashtra around 4 pm on Wednesday. They were stopped by Madhya Pradesh's police .Vaiko was told that he wouldn’t be allowed to proceed to Sanchi and that he should go back. To protest against the MP government’s decision, they staged a sit-in on National Highway-69 road on Wednesday night near Pandhurna on the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border. Police encircled the entire group of MDMK workers. Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to unlawful assembly, was put in place and the protestors will be arrested if they tried to proceed to Sanchi or Bhopal.

Heavy security cover was put in place on all the roads leading to Sanchi from state capital Bhopal, bus and railway stations and all markets were closed. State authorities have also asked the railways ministry to ensure that no train stops in any station between Bhopal and Vidisha on September 21, including Sanchi, in order to prevent the protesters from reaching the venue in Sanchi.. Nearly half a dozen MDMK supporters were detained at Salamatpur near Sanchi as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, Chouhan had again appealed to Vaiko to give up the protest.“Sri Vaiko mere param mitra hain [Mr. Vaiko is my best friend]. We have worked together under the NDA government,” he told journalists at his residence on Thursday. Vaiko was detained by the police on 21 September, when he tried to move further from Gadchicholi to Sanchi to protest Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa' visit.

Closure of Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin

Vaiko filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Madras High Court requesting closure of the copper smelting plant of the Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin. His claim that the company did not follow the waste management procedures correctly and has polluted the ground water and air. Vaiko being a lawyer represented his case himself, and won the case. Madras High Court ordered for the closure of the plant in the Sterlite industries in Tuticorin^[5] .^[6] Sterlite Industries appealed against this judgement to the Supreme Court of India. Vaiko is representing the case in the SC also, and the current status is that the judgement is reserved for this case. A common opinion during the 2011 elections is that, Sterlite Industries lobbied against Vaiko with the ADMK alliance to dump him at the last moment. This plant was originally planned to be set up at Maharastra, but due to the opposition from environmental activists, it was stopped. When Jayalalithaa came to power in Tamil Nadu in 1991, the company got the approvals to set this up in Tuticorin. In addition to Sterlite Industries, Sri Lankan President lobbied through Vijay Mallaya, the CEO of Kingfisher, who is also a friend of Jayalalithaa. As a favor in exchange of permissions to set up airline operations in Sri Lanka.^[7]

Nadaipayanam (March with cadres trained for disciple charector)

Vaiko had carried out six Nadaipayanam's so far, and the seventh Nadaipayanam is underway (as of Dec 24 2012).^[8]

2004 Marumalarchi Nadaipayanam

Mr. Vaiko went on a 42 day walkathon from Tirunelveli to Chennai (Padayatra in Hindi, Nadaipayanam in Tamil) in 2004 that ended on Sep 15, with the goal of explaining the major issues faced by Tamil Nadu and some of his vision development projects like linkage of peninsular rivers Cauvery, Mahanadhi and Krishna, completion of Sethu Project. The walkathon was a huge success and received well with the public.^[9] The last day of the walk succeeded against the hurdles made by Jayalalitha that day Chief minister. where the state government refused permission for Mr. Vaiko and the cadres to continue the walk, citing various reasons including traffic congestion and law and order issues. Mr.Vaiko insisted on continuing the walk along the walk way laid near marina beach and reached the planned destination. Tamilnadu police team observed this much later almost 2 hours after Mr.Vaiko reached his destination. The unprepared police team could not stop his march. When Mr.Vaiko started the walk at Sep 15, 2004 1:00 am. The city police tried to stop the procession, but Mr. Vaiko was able to lead the troop to reach the destination of C. N. Annadurai Tomb at around 3:30am. Reaching the Tomb, Mr. Vaiko and the cadres are supposed to assemble and relax at The Island, Chennai, where the marching troop was stopped by the cops near the Island Grounds. Finally, Mr.Vaiko argued and negotiated with the cops to get him arrested in exchange of letting the cadres to enter into The Island Grounds.^[10]

2006 Nadaipayanam

Vaiko went on a 6 day padayatra demanding the strengthening of Mullai Periyar Dam.

2012 Total Prohibition of alcohol

Vaiko started his seventh nadaipayanam on 12 December 2012 with the goal of raising awareness among the public for the total prohibition of alcohol in Tamil Nadu, and demanding the government to ban alcohol in TN.

He stated that

Since liquor is the root cause for all social evils and heinous crimes, in Tamil Nadu, the MDMK, with the intention of saving thousands and thousands of families across Tamil Nadu and the youth, demands total prohibition. To highlight our demand, we will raise awareness among the public on the evils of liquor

. Vaiko himself interviewed youngsters at seven places in the State and selected 1,200 youths, all below the age of 30, to accompany him in the padayatra.

1st Phase from 12 to 28 December 2012 - Uvari to Madurai - 350 km

2nd Phase from 8th Feb to 28th Feb 2013 - Kancheepuram to Maraimalai Nagar

3rd Phase from 19th Apr to 29th Apr 2013 - Pollachi to Erode

Support to LTTE

He is well known for his unequivocal support for the banned LTTE and other organizations fighting for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka.^[11] He made a trip to Eelam at the height of the LTTE’s war with the combined forces of India and Sri Lanka. On his return when he entered into the Parliament all the members of Parliament irrespective of their parties welcomed him for his safe return by a unanimous thumping of desks.
His Party in their very first State Conference at Tiruchi,made a Resolution that a separate Eelam was the only viable solution for Eelam Tamils.

POTA(2002-2004)

Vaiko was the first member of Parliament and chief of a registered political party in the country to be detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002.^[12] He was arrested on his arrival at the Chennai airport on 29 July 2002 for his Pro-LTTE speech at Thirumangalam near Madurai on 21 June 2002.Cases against Vaiko and the eight others, Veera Ilavarasan, Bhoominathan, Madurai Ganesan, Azhagusundaram, P S Maniam, Erode Ganesamurthy, Nagarajan, Sivandhi Appan, were registered under IPC 120(B) and 109, dealing with unlawful Assembly and conspiracy. After being arrested, Vaiko reiterated his appeal to party workers to observe calm.

Police registered a case on a complaint filed by the Thirumangalam town inspector Thangavelu, who said Mr Vaiko had stated in a meeting on June 29 that:

I supported the LTTE yesterday, today and would support it tomorrow (The golden words for The Eelam Tamils.

Over 3,000 MDMK workers were taken into preventive custody all over Tamil Nadu following the party's announcement that it would organise protests in various parts of the state.

Many leaders met Vaiko at Vellore Central Jail. Some of them are then Defence Minister Of India George Fernandes.^[13]

He was released after spending 18 months in prison.^[14]

Arrest on charges of Sedition(2008)

During Karunanithi's DMK rule in 2008 the 'Q' Branch of the CID of the Tamil Nadu police arrested Vaiko on charges of sedition.^[9] The MDMK presidium chairman and former Union Minister Kannappan, was also arrested on the same charges.^[9] The charges stemmed from speeches Vaiko made at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue and the government's raids into LTTE-held areas on 21 October 2008.^[9] He stated that

I would not hesitate to lead an armed struggle for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils and a separate homeland was the only solution to the ethnic strife in the island republic.^[15]

He came down heavily on the UPA government for what he termed

supply of arms and ammunition and logistical support to the Sri Lankan government to wage a war against Tamils

Vaiko warned that helping Sri Lanka would hurt India.^[9] After 14 days in judicial custody, Vaiko and Kannappan were released.^[16]

Ban on LTTE

After the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War he stated that India should retract its ban on the LTTE, claiming the ban was "a shield to suppress freedom of expression and stifle the voice of the Opposition".^[17] He and his party still urge lifting the ban on LTTE as unjust.^[18]

Imprisonments

Detained under MISA from Feb,1.1976 to Feb,2.1977 (One Year)
For 40 days for organizing Black Flag Demonstration against former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi’s visit to Tamil Nadu in Oct .1977.
22 times during 1978-81 for peaceful demonstrations and picketing against the Central Government of India and the State Government of TamilNadu.
Four Times during 1978-81 for organizing volunteer camps of DMK.
During 1986-87 for anti Hindi agitations.

Positions Held(1965-1983)

Year	Positions Held
1965-66	Presidency College Victoria Hostel Tamil Association
1970	Organiser, Youth Forums;State Joint Organiser, DMK Students wing
1970–76	President, Panchayat Union, Kuruvikulam, Tirunelveli District
1971–75	Land Development Bank, Kuruvikulam
1971–76	M.D.K. Co-operative Supervisors’ Training Institute; President, District Central Cooperative Bank
1972-73	President, Tirunelveli District Co-operative CentralBank
1977-79	Propaganda, Secretary, DMK Party for Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts
1983	Secretary, Election Campaign, DMK headquarters; Convenor, Dr. Karunanidhi Voluntary Blood Donors’ Association, Tirunelveli

Books Published

Vaiko’s Clarion Call (A collection of his Parliamentary speeches in the 12th Lok Sabha

From The Portals Of a Prison

I Accuse

State Autonomy

Raththam Kasiyum Idhayathin Kural

Sirayil Virintha Madalgal

Indhiyai Ethirkirome Aen?

Tamil Eelam Aen?

Thalirkal Thalalaagum; Tamil Eelam Uruvaagum

Kutram Saattugiraen

Padayin Maatchi

Tamilar Vaalvil Thanthai Periyaar

Vaikovin Sanganaatham

Idhayachchiragukal

Vaalvu Malarum Vali

Tamil Isaithaen

Isaithaenaai........Ilakkiath thendralaai.......

Thadaigalaith Thagarppoam! Thayagam Kaappoam!

Ulaga Naadugalin Onedriyam

Varalaaru Santhiththa Valakkugal

Pennin Perumai

Oslovin Anbukkural

Vetrippadigal

Thanalum Thanmayum

Endru Thaniyum Indha Suthanthira Thaagam?

Oslovil Amaithippuraa

Vetrich Sangoli

Vaagai Sooduvoam

Ulagukku Oray Podhumarai

Puyalin Mugangal

Erodetup Parani

Otrumai Oangattum

Tamilarin Poarvaal

Manitha Urimaigal

Potrip Paaduvoam

Aam Nammaal Mudiyum

Vaikovin Kadithangal- Baagam 1

Vaikovin Kadithangal- Baagam 2

Marumalarchi Pera Elutchi Nadai

Ulaippaal Uyarvoam

Yamunaik Karayil

Manaimaatchi

Tamilaal Uyarvoam

Baranikkarayil Puratchikkanal

Thaagam Theera ......Paasanam Peruga

Thaen Malargal –Vaiko’s Literary Speeches

NaduNaadu Thantha Nambikkai

Social work

In 2005, Vaiko started the Marumalarchi Blood Donors' Club.^[19]

He launched a three-day Tank Desilting Program in his village with the participation of villagers.^[20] He has undergone a month long padayatra in Tamil Nadu for the interlinking of inter state rivers in India.^[21]

During the Paramakudi violence in September 2011, he visited the hospital to see the injured. He saw a 19-year-old boy injured in police firing and admitted the boy to a hospital.^[22]

Life saver

India has the highest number of road accidents in the world.^[23] Within India, according to the Government of India report, Tamil Nadu is among the top three states with highest number of road accidents, deaths and injuries.^[24] One of the reasons for high death rates is the poor infrastructure to take the injured to the hospitals, and most people are afraid to get themselves involved in helping the injured. In many incidents, even the cops, district collectors and ministers present at the spot don't try to help the injured. In an incident, the ministers of Tamil Nadu didn't even get down from their cars.^[25] Contrast to that, when Vaiko notices any accident on his trip, he gets down, and many times, admits the injured to the nearest hospital in his car. Some incidents in the recent times include, Vaiko saved two accident victims in Madurai and Karur.^[26][27][28]

In another incident, a car hit a truck carrying Gas cylinder, in which the diesel tank of the truck got damaged and the diesel started leaking. Due to fear of explosion, people around stayed far without trying to help the victims. Vaiko was travelling in the road, on seeing this accident, rescued the only survivor, a 14 year old, and admitted him at the nearest hospital. The doctor's informed Vaiko that since the kid suffered brain injury, he must be taken to a multi-specialty hospital in Chennai, and Vaiko made the arrangements for the treatment in Apollo and arranged the ambulance for transferring.^[29]

Vaiko helped a functionary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and his friend who got injured in a road accident. He got them admitted to Cuddalore headquarters government hospital on Sunday.^[30]

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Vaiko

• Official website of MDMK

Persondata
Name	Gopalswamy, V.
Alternative names	vaiko
Short description	Indian politician
Date of birth	22 May 1944
Place of birth	kalinga patti
Date of death
Place of death