Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader, Thol. Thirumavalavan on Monday said that he did not make any adverse remarks against the people of the Vanniyar community, but only criticized Pattali Makkal Katchi’s lawyer K.Balu for “instigating” the people of Melapathi with regard to the problem related to the temple.
Addressing a public meeting in Madurai against the attack on Dalits in Tirumogur, the MP claimed that in his entire political career he had never spoken ill of any community, though attacks on Dalits continued.
According to him, Mr. Balu’s assurance to the Vanniyars who blocked the entry of Dalits to the Draupadiamman temple at Melpathy in Villupuram district, to uphold the temple’s tradition (not allowing Dalits to pray) and to take it to the Supreme Court It was only to incite against Dalits
“Why shouldn’t Dalits who pay taxes and donations for the temple be allowed inside? Is Mr. Balu’s assurance not illegal? Is he not misleading the people of his own community,” asked Mr. Thirumavalavan.
He alleged that the PMK was trying to mislead and exploit the “casteist sentiments” of the people of the community.
Mr. Thirumavalavan alleged that PMK founder S. The Dharmapuri riots occurred because of “social engineering” by Ramdas by mobilizing people from various backward classes against the Dalits. “Dr. Ramadoss is the father of casteist and regressive forces in Tamil Nadu,” he claimed. In his view, it was only after the formation of the PMK from a caste association that “many caste organizations transformed into political parties in the state, where the political narrative became social. Justice, equality, rights of women and autonomy of the state were maintained”.
The MP claimed that he always tried to prevent enmity and conflict between Dalits and other communities and never incited violence.
Listing several incidents of atrocities on Dalits in Madurai district in the recent past, Mr. Thirumavalavan said that as a democratic force it was his duty to raise voice for the victims. He clarified, “This cannot be considered as VCK’s protest against DMK.”
Comparing the PMK’s “casteist” stance with the religious stance of the Sanatan forces, he said that the VCK would never forge an alliance with the PMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party, even if it meant the downfall of his party in electoral politics.
Among the speakers were Tamil Puligal Katchi leader Nagai Thiruvalluvan, director of Madurai-based NGO Evidence A. Kathir was involved.