Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan has faced significant criticism after issuing a condemnation of the recent terrorist attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. While his statement expressed strong disapproval of the incident, he also took the opportunity to peddle his politics at a time when the nation is mourning the death of innocent lives lost to the terrorist attack.
In his statement, Thirumavalavan condemns the BJP-led government for its failure to ensure security, criticizing the 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s special status and the subsequent reduction of 180,000 troops during the COVID period, which he claims contributed to the security lapse.
In his two page statement, there was not a single mention of Pakistan or the terror outfit The Resistance Front (an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba).
Netizens quickly highlighted past instances where VCK members, including MLA Aloor Shanavas, had referred to Kashmiri militants as “freedom fighters.“ A video resurfaced in which Shanavas praised Thirumavalavan for acknowledging the Kashmir conflict as a struggle for freedom rather than terrorism.
Following the brutal assault on Hindu tourists in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, Thirumavalavan issued a formal statement via his official account, saying, “I strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. Such acts of terror have no place in a democratic and civilized society. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be identified, brought to justice, and punished with the utmost severity. I urge the Union Government to convene an all-party meeting to demonstrate that the entire nation stands united in rejecting terrorism and upholding peace and democracy.”
“I strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. Such acts of terror have no place in a democratic and civilized society. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be identified, brought to justice, and punished with the utmost severity. I urge the Union Government to convene an all-party meeting to demonstrate that the entire nation stands united in rejecting terrorism and upholding peace and democracy.”
However, the internet wasn’t buying it. Many slammed Thirumavalavan for what they called a sudden performative concern, pointing out that his party has previously glorified terrorists. One video that particularly infuriated people shows MLA Aloor Shanavas saying, “Today, Kashmir is burning. You ask any leader their opinion about Kashmir. They will say Kashmir belongs to India, it is an integral part of India, and the ones who fight there are terrorists. People have the same opinion as the press spreads such a narrative, and the leaders in our country also say the same thing. But our leader Thirumavalavan, who has visited Kashmir and seen the situation, is the only brave Tamil leader who says the truth that what is happening there isn’t terrorism but a freedom struggle. Does any other leader say this truth?”
The resurfaced clip fueled further criticism, with people accusing the VCK of double standards and playing to their political base, instead of standing firmly against terrorism in all forms irrespective of religion.
This isn’t the first instance where Thirumavalavan and his party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), have shown a tendency to glorify individuals and groups widely recognized as terrorists by portraying them as “freedom fighters.”
Glorifying S.A. Basha – Mastermind Of The 1998 Coimbatore Blasts
Following the death of S.A. Basha, founder of the banned terror outfit Al-Ummah and the chief conspirator behind the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts that killed 58 and injured over 230 people, several Dravidian parties, including VCK, offered tributes that were seen as blatant appeasement of extremist elements.
Thirumavalavan took to social media to pay tribute, portraying Basha as a martyr for the Muslim community. He wrote that Basha, who had spent over 25 years in prison, remained steadfast in his beliefs and that his death was a significant loss for Muslims. He further stated that party leaders, including Deputy General Secretary Vanni Arasu, attended Basha’s funeral to offer their respects, calling it a “heroic tribute.”
He wrote, “Kovai Basha has lost his life after being in prison for more than a quarter of a century. Not only him, but also some of his relatives including his son Siddique were imprisoned and lost their lives. Even when his family was imprisoned to protect the interests of Muslims, he did not lose heart and lived with determination without wavering in his principles. It is sad that he died as a prisoner. However, it has become a history. His demise is a great loss for Muslims. Many leading comrades including Deputy General Secretary Vanni Arasu participated in his last rites on behalf of the party and paid him a heroic tribute. Salute to Kovai_Pasha.”
Consistent Pattern of Supporting Extremist Groups
Thirumavalavan’s controversial comments aren’t new. He has previously drawn parallels between globally designated terrorist organizations—like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—and movements for self-determination, portraying them as justified resistance forces. He has even defended the LTTE, a banned terrorist outfit, suggesting they resorted to arms only after democratic processes failed them.
In an October 2024 speech, Thirumavalavan argued that militant groups in Palestine emerged in response to Israeli aggression, comparing them to the LTTE’s evolution in Sri Lanka. He claimed Palestinians, having lost the majority of their land to Israel, had no choice but to form groups like the PLO and later, Hamas, in self-defense.
Thirumavalavan said, “Generally they will say it as a terrorist organization, militant organization, then why was LTTE formed? Even after 25 years of struggle under the leadership of Selva in democratic way, the Sinhalese did not accept their demand. As there was need to speak in their language, armed groups appeared. Then what will the neighboring Islamic countries do without helping them? It will help them.”
He stated that initially, Palestinians ceded 40-45% of their land, but now Israel has taken over 90%, leaving only a small portion in the West Bank and Gaza. He then posed a question to the audience, “Now tell me, on whose side should we stand? Can you support Israel or the Jewish group that have driven out the Palestinians and occupied their land?”
He went as far as to draw a controversial comparison between the displacement of Dalits in Chennai and the plight of Palestinians. Referring to the Marwari business community in Sowcarpet, Chennai, Thirumavalavan likened their economic expansion to Israeli settlement, implying that the original residents of Chennai were being pushed out like Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
“What did the Jews do? They (Palestinians) gave them a piece of land and asked to stay within that. If we ask him (Marwaris) to stay within Sowcarpet, he should stay there. What will happen if they expand to other areas like Anna Nagar and encroach entire Chennai? The Dalits, poor and the marginalized, those who stay on the banks of Cooum River are being shifted to Ottiyambakkam, Thoraipakkam, Semmenchery. This is called displacement. The natives of Chennai were shifted away to 40-50 kms saying that you’re being affected because of rains and floods. This is being done by the government itself. What happened there (Israel) was, as he (Jews) came, these people (Palestinians) had to flee. They attacked. Thousands of them were killed.“, he said.
Public Endorsement of Pro-Palestinian Protests
On multiple occasions, including on 31 October 2023, Thirumavalavan has participated in large-scale demonstrations supporting Palestine, aligning himself with various Muslim political organizations. These events often included inflammatory rhetoric against Israel and vocal support for groups like Hamas. He criticized India’s neutral stance at the UN and urged the global community to condemn Israeli actions.
Thirumavalavan spoke in an inflammatory fashion and supported Hamas in this war. Here is a transcript of his speech. “Israel is carrying out a brutal war of aggression. Israel must stop this war. The nations across the world, democratic countries are voicing their support for Israel to stop this brutality against the Palestinians.”
Resolution Against India Abstaining From Voting Against Israel
He said, “Recently at the UN Assembly, Jordan proposed a resolution, and 120 nations voted in favour of it. 14 nations voted against it. 45 countries including India abstained from voting. Even if we count the countries that abstained and those who voted against the resolution, it is only 60 countries. But those who supported the resolution make up 120 countries. The world makes us realise the truth. That the war carried out by Israel on Palestine and the Gaza Strip is unjust, cruel, and terrible and this war needs to stop immediately. This is the voice of the world, the voice of all the democratic nations of the world. As a means to support that voice, today we have congregated here in the thousands.” He added, “When asked why we abstained from voting, they said that in the Jordan Resolution, there is no mention of Hamas, they have not spoken about the attack they carried out. So we abstained, said Yojana Patel, the Indian representative.”
Called Israel An Occupier Nation
He called Israel an occupier nation and said, “Israel has occupied Palestine, that is the historical truth. They were chased out of Germany and several other European countries. They entered Palestine with banners saying Germans stabbed us, don’t destroy our hope. The same people are the ones who created Israel and terrorising and suppressing people, they are the Jews.“
He added, “Keeping aside the history of why they were chased out of Germany, the Jewish race is one which has only developed enmity with most of the countries in the world. Israel is not their ancestral land. Israel is not their motherland. With the help of superpowers like America, they occupied territory and created a country of their own and are killing and bringing about the genocide of the same Palestinians who gave them refuge.”
Comparing The Eelam War With That Of Palestine
Thirumavalavan compared the Srilankan Tamil issue with that of the Palestinians. He said, “Even in Eelam, the Singhalese are not the natives of that land. They went from India. But history has been hidden from all. They caused the genocide and massacre of the natives of that land, the Tamils. It continues to this day. The same thing has happened here (Palestine).”
He added, “In 2001, I attended a conference in Durban in South Africa. It was about opposing apartheid. Several Palestinians came there with banners. Even though I do not understand their language, I would stand with the Palestinians during their protests. I came across a flyer that was in English. They constantly spoke for freeing their land and requested the countries of the world to support them. Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian Liberation Movement would conduct exile Parliament and stress on these requests, same like how Eelam Tamils are having one.”
Hamas – A “Defence Force”
He called Hamas a defence force. He said, “We know that Hamas emerged as a contradictory movement of the Palestinian Liberation Movement. But that movement is the only one that protects the Palestinians. It is not a war-frenzy movement. It is not an occupier-frenzy movement. It is not a movement that hates other races. It did not start an attack on Israel unjustly. Hamas is a defence force that is there to protect Palestinians and Palestine’s land. It is being called a terrorist organisation and extremist organisation by the Sanathana forces in the United Nations Assembly.”
Justifying The Creation Of Hamas
Thirumavalavan also justified the reason for the creation of Hamas. He said, “What is the reason for the emergence of Hamas? Which country has been aggressed against/occupied by Hamas? On 7 October 2023, they carried out rocket strikes. It is not a war of aggression. It is a war against aggression. Shouldn’t India realize this? Shouldn’t America realise this? Is the attack carried out by Hamas a terror attack? or is the attack carried out by Israel a terror attack? Did the Palestinians occupy the Jewish nation or did the Jews occupy the Palestinian nation? Shouldn’t we know the answer to this question? It is a fact that the world knows. It is a historical fact that the Jews occupied the Palestinian nation.”
He also added, “Israel is an occupier nation created by the Jews with the support of America. Who is carrying out the terror attack here? Weren’t the Palestinians the ones who helped them when they came to Palestine raising their banners? Who is carrying out such a terrible attack with cluster bombs and phosphorus against the Palestinians who welcomed them? We are not gathered here on the basis of religion. We are united asking for justice. We are here to question the conscience of the countries of the world. Whenever there is a war between Israel and Palestine, America always comes forward to support Israel blindly.”
Condemning India’s Stand On The War
He called India’s stand on the war something that was influenced by “Sanathana forces”. He said, “Today, our Indian nation has become a subordinate of America and has come forward to support Israel blindly. They support America’s stand. Indian politics is based on justice but it is supporting injustice. It is supporting Jews who are an occupier nation. It is against the Palestinians who are the sons of the soil (natives). The BJP government is looking at the Palestinians as Muslims alone. It is not looking at the justice on their side. We want to accuse the BJP, RSS’s Muslim hatred politics has made us take a stand against the Palestinians. They are not looking at this problem, this problem between Hamas and Israel as a fight between occupiers and natives. Should the Palestinian people come back to Palestine or not? Should they not condemn the actions of Israel which is preventing Palestinians from returning?”
Gaza – Comparison With Chennai
Thirumavalavan compared Gaza to Chennai and complained about how Israel was torturing the citizens. He said, “Gaza which is under the control of Hamas is a small strip of land that is 10km wide and 41km long. 25 lakh people are living in a place which is not even a fifth of Chennai’s land area. More than 1 crore people live in Chennai. For the past 25 days, Israel has been carrying out brutal attacks via air and land. Countries like America and India are watching the spectacle. Where will this lead to? Even if these people think, let the people of Palestine find a solution to the problem, even then the Palestinians will win. If America does not intervene, if their supporters do not intervene, if their army doesn’t go, if they do not help with their weapons, if they do not help financially, Hamas will win and take over Israel.”
He also added, “In the name of destroying LTTE, India, and America supported the Sinhalese and took a stand against the Tamils. In the same way, they named Hamas a terrorist organisation, and in the name of destroying Hamas, they are killing innocent Palestinians. Dead bodies are being transported in containers. They are burying dead bodies en masse. Reports indicate that 50000 pregnant women are unsafe and in dangerous conditions. They cut off the electricity, oil, and water. This is not just a war against terrorism, it is a genocide.”
He called for a gathering, a show of support similar to the gathering of numerous people in Kerala to express support for Palestine. He said even in Tamil Nadu, millions of people stand in opposition to Israel’s brutal war, and that this conflict needed to be halted promptly. He condemned India’s stance and that it must be altered, and efforts will be made to exert pressure on India to raise its voice against the continuation of the war.
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