Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi
Chairperson Thol. Thirumavalavan
Founded 1972
Headquarters Velachery, Chennai
Ideology Tamil nationalism, equality
Alliance TMC+ (1999)
DMK+ (2001-2004)
ADMK+ (2006-2009)
UPA (2009-2013)
Website
www.vck.in (Tamil)
Politics of India
Political parties
Elections

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (translation: Liberation Panther Party; abbr. VCK) is a Dravidian political party in Tamil Nadu, India. Its chairman is Thol. Thirumavalavan, a lawyer from Chennai. The party's main principle is the abolition of the Hindu caste system and the institution of equality among Tamil people. The political party believes that true social equality lies in the unification of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, Other Backward Classes, and minorities such as the Christians and Muslims of Tamil Nadu. The Party is against capitalism, caste domination, and Brahminism. The party also functions in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala in addition to Tamil Nadu.

History

The party was formed in 1988 in Madurai as a counter to Brahminism, caste domination, and caste-based violence on socially and economically weaker sections of society. The party derives its principles from B. R. Ambedkar, a social activist who campaigned against social discrimination in India, and Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, the founder of the Dravidian Movement. The party's main principles are empowerment of socially and economically weaker sections of the society, bringing equality among Tamil people, and fighting against the caste system of Hinduism. It was formerly a part of the erstwhile Dalit Panthers of India Tamil Nadu unit.

Party principles

The main aim of the party is to abolish the differences among Tamil people and to lift up the economically weaker sections of society. The party also supported the freedom movement of Tamil people in Tamil Eelam, as well as the security of Tamil people living abroad. VCK fought for fishermen's security against the Sri Lankan Navy, and for this reason, party leader Thol. Thirumavalavan's visit to Sri Lanka was forbidden by the Sri Lankan government. The party has also declared that Mahinda Rajapaksa should be charged with war crimes for the alleged assassination of thousands of innocent Tamil people during war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. In the Parliament of India in May 2012, Thirumavalavan joined other leaders and raised issue of the Ambedkar cartoon, sparking a controversy in Parliament.

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.[1]

References

  1. Akshaya Nath (2015-05-06). "Tamil Nadu: Will Thirumavalavan be able to form coalition government in the state?". Saddahaq. Retrieved 2015-08-24.

External links

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