VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan speaking at a rally in Tiruchi on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: R. Selvamuthukumar
Reiterating that upholding the Constitution and secular values took precedence over electoral arithmetic, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Saturday led a massive rally and public conference in Tiruchi, declaring that religion should remain a personal matter and not a function of the State.
“Our alliance with the DMK is not for short-term political gains but is grounded in shared ideology and a long-term vision for social justice,” Mr. Thirumavalavan said, addressing party cadre after a mammoth rally to ‘Safeguard Secularism.’
“The Constitution drafted by Ambedkar must be defended in letter and spirit — for liberty, equality, and fraternity. The nation is paramount and above elections and electoral alliances,” he said. Criticising the BJP, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “They invoke Hinduism but fail to address caste-based discrimination within it. Have they ever spoken up for temple entry rights for Scheduled Castes? Religion must remain personal — the State has no business promoting any faith.”
‘Youth won’t go behind heroes’
Taking a veiled swipe at actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), he dismissed speculation that youth could go behind heroes. None of our cadre who have accepted Ambedkar as leader would go behind heroes, he said.
Through resolutions adopted at the rally, the party demanded, among other things, the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act and the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Earlier, Mr. Thirumavalavan led the rally from the TVS toll gate junction to the Tiruchi City Corporation office.
The event was marked by the participation of party members donning blue suits and red ties, in a symbolic gesture inspired by Dr. Ambedkar.
Published – June 15, 2025 12:43 am IST