VCK’s manifesto, its anti-Hinduism and anti-development

Thirumavalavan, the leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and a member of the DMK alliance, published his party manifesto for the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections in a private hotel in Villuppuram on March 25, 2021. The manifesto included divisive anti-Hindu remarks and economically radical viewpoints that made the political audience and the general public frown.

According to the VCK’s manifesto, if elected to office, it would nationalise all temple lands and distribute them to poor Tamil farmers. Why should only Hindu temple lands be nationalised and distributed to poor farmers is a fundamental issue. Why not the lands of Mosques and Church? This isn’t the first time that Mr. Thirumavalavan or his party has made divisive remarks about Hinduism. On November 13, 2019 VCK Chief Thirumavalavan in a public meeting said, “If the building has a dome, it is a mosque; if it is tall and straight, it is a church; and if it has dirty idols/dolls, it is a temple”.

It was thought at the time that Thirumavalavan made these controversial remarks in order to divert attention away from Stalin’s MISA controversy. This raises the question of who is using religion to defend their political interests. This demonstrates the bigotry of ostensibly secular groups.

Another point in the manifesto said “ The party will take action to completely shut down Kaattupalli Port”. Even the protesters in Ennore region opposed only the expansion of the port and did not make any demands for a complete shut down of the Kaatupalli port. The spread of a failed communist ideology, based on which they demand the closure of ports, factories, and other development projects, is having a negative effect on Tamil Nadu’s growth story. This not only has an effect on established firms, but it also creates an adverse market climate. The ease of doing business in Tamil Nadu is declining as the number of politically motivated protests sees a sharp increase.

Finally, a point in the manifesto deserves special consideration. According to the statement, the party would work to pass legislation requiring women to hold 50 percent of seats in all legislative bodies. It is worth noting that the VCK has not fielded a single woman candidate in any of the six seats it is contesting in Tamil Nadu.

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