Vaiko releases 34-year crime report; rebukes allies for criticising T.N. government

Amid ongoing accusations by Opposition parties of increase in crime and deteriorating law and order in Tamil Nadu, MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday released a catalogue of crimes that occurred over the past 34 years. He also lamented that the TVK-led government was being criticised by two of its coalition partners.

Addressing journalists in Chennai on Tuesday, he said except the IUML and the MDMK, the other parties within the ruling alliance have been criticising the administration.

Mr. Vaiko released a list detailing crimes committed in the State between May 1991 and May 2026. Citing the list compiled by the Madurai-based human rights organisation People’s Watch, he highlighted several major criminal incidents.

Speaking on the subject for over an hour, Vaiko also recounted the backdrop of key moments from his own political journey during this period. In particular, he detailed the circumstances surrounding his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in July 2002. He noted that upon learning of the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to detain him under POTA, he advanced his return from the United States — originally scheduled for July 15 — and arrived in Chennai on July 11 to court arrest. He added while he was meant to be lodged in the Vellore Central Prison, authorities attempted to detain him at the Madurai Central Prison en route, an effort that was abandoned only after his fierce resistance.

He also recalled that it was former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who first addressed him as “Vaiko” instead of his full name V. Gopalasamy. He recounted that during the inaugural meeting held in Delhi to form the National Front, M. Karunanidhi had sent him a note on a slip of paper addressed to ‘Thambi Vaikovukku’.

Mr. Vaiko alleged some time after he founded the MDMK, L. Ganesan and Gingee N. Ramachandran attempted to split the party and organise a rival general council meeting on the instructions of the DMK leadership, but those efforts ended in failure.

He further recalled that following his release from prison under POTA, he undertook a padayatra from Tirunelveli to Chennai alongside 1,200 people, demanding an end to caste and communal clashes and the complete eradication of narcotics. Although he was denied entry into Chennai as the march neared the city, he defied the restrictions, entered Chennai, and addressed a public meeting.

Mr. Vaiko also mentioned that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a special guest to his swearing-in ceremony, he vehemently opposed the move and was arrested after staging a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

Stating he had opposed the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi from the very beginning, Mr. Vaiko alleged fresh efforts were under way to reopen the facility under the pretext of producing “Green Copper.” He claimed Vedanta’s Anil Agarwal had sought an appointment with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for this purpose; however, following his own appeal urging the Chief Minister not to meet him, the meeting did not take place, and Mr. Agarwal has now approached the court.

Prior to Mr. Vaiko’s address, leaders from his party spoke in detail about his political contributions.