Latest news with #MarumalarchiDravidaMunnetraKazhagam
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko urges Centre to find permanent solution to fishermen issue in Palk Bay
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) urged the Union government to take immediate steps to secure the release of all Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan authorities, along with their boats, and to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government to retrieve the Katchatheevu island. According to a press release, Mr. Vaiko, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, drew the attention of the Centre to the increasing number of mid-sea arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy at Palk Bay. A total of 150 fishermen had been arrested since the beginning of this year, he said. Their families were facing severe financial distress and forced to pay hefty fines imposed by the Sri Lankan authorities to secure the release of their relatives, Mr. Vaiko said. The Sri Lankan Navy continues to act aggressively, violating the traditional rights of the Tamil Nadu fishermen. To prevent such arrests in the future and to protect the rights of the fishing community, the Union government should find a permanent solution to this issue, he said. Further, the Union government should exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to provide compensation to the families of those killed by the Sri Lankan Navy in the last 10 years and to those whose boats were damaged, he added.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MDMK leader Vaiko visits Ajith Kumar's family
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko visited the family of custodial death victim B. Ajith Kumar at their home in Madapuram, Sivaganga on Tuesday. He handed over ₹1 lakh to the family. Speaking to media later, he said: 'Police's inhumane treatment of a youth which has cost him his life is highly condemnable.' Unless the police were given severe punishment, such incidents cannot be prevented in future, he added that he was hopeful that the judiciary would bring the accused under law. As the State police could play down the murder, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's order for transfer of the case to CBI was appropriate, he stated. Earlier, Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram visited the family and expressed his condolences for the family's loss. Addressing the media, he said the murder of the youth was a result of the colonial mindset of the police department. Claiming that custodial torture was a continuation of the colonial practice to subdue the citizens through any means, Mr. Chidambaram said it was unfortunate that it is continuing even after 75 years of Indian Independence. 'Through an overhaul of the police system, the police personnel should be retrained to educate them about new scientific operating procedures, new techniques, among others,' he added. The training should cover the entire police system, starting from Director General of Police to a constable, he noted. It was no wonder that people fear seeking help from the police, given the circumstances.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko condemns RSS general secretary's call for removal ‘secular', ‘socialist' from Preamble
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Friday condemned Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale for suggesting to remove the words 'secular' and 'socialist' that were inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, during the Emergency. Referring to the recent speech of Mr. Hosabale who had questioned the inclusion of these two terms, claiming that they were not part of the original Preamble and should be deleted, Mr. Vaiko said: 'The RSS and other Hindutva forces have been consistently calling to rewrite the Constitution to impose their idea of a Hindu Rashtra, aimed at dismantling India's pluralistic character and imposing a homogenous national identity based on one religion, one language, one culture, and one nation.' Referring to a Supreme Court verdict that upheld the power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution under Article 368 includes amending the Preamble as well, Mr. Vaiko, in a statement, alleged that the BJP government's actions over the last ten years have undermined the core values of the Constitution such as sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy, republic, equality, fraternity, dignity, and national unity. He said 'Democratic and progressive forces across the country should come together and oppose the Hindutva forces' attempts to subvert the Constitution.'
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MDMK will seek more seats but not at the cost of coalition, says Durai Vaiko
The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) will seek a higher share of seats in the upcoming elections but without compromising on the collective interests of the DMK-led alliance, said the party's principal secretary and Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko on Saturday. 'A party must win at least 12 Assembly seats to secure official recognition. We certainly want to grow and will seek more seats, but any decision will be taken in a manner that does not disrupt alliance unity,' he said speaking to reporters here. Commenting on recent remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the English language, he criticised the BJP's stance as regressive. 'It is bilingual education and English that have enabled Tamils to find employment across the world. The BJP insists on a third language in schools, yet questions the role of English — this contradiction is unconvincing,' he said.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam terror attack should not be connected to any particular religion: Durai Vaiko
'While the terrorist attack on the innocent tourists at Pahalgam was condemnable, it should also not be pinned on a particular religion for gaining political motives,' said Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Durai Vaiko. Speaking at a demonstration organised by the MDMK against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 here on Saturday, he said that targeting a religion as a whole for a separated act of terrorism was not acceptable and those who tried to involve innocent people into this should understand that no religion preached violence. While both India and Pakistan governments point to the Kashmir freedom fighters for the attack, Mr. Durai Vaiko said that they had found a chance to spew hatred against people who were fighting for their liberation. 'They who fight disregarding their own lives may attack military, government representatives or even politicians, but they will not attack innocent people,' he noted. The right-wing political ideology widespread in the nation would want to relate the incident with Muslims, but they did not realise that all people, irrespective of their religion, would wish to lead only a united and peaceful life, he added. Speaking of the dangers on the properties of Muslims would face due to the Waqf amendment, he claimed that the Waqf board was meant to protect, utilise and serve the people. 'The land that was donated to waqf was used for several purposes and by changing the rules now it would make them lose their properties to the government,' he added. Further condemning provisions to appoint non-Muslims to the board, he questioned whether a non-Hindu was appointed to administer a Hindu temple. 'Other rules like only after five years being in the religion someone donate properties to the board were discouraging thousands of people who would be willing to donate for the welfare of the religion,' said Mr. Durai Vaiko. He said that people of the country should join hands together to fight against the 'divisive' politics of the BJP government.
