Vaiko releases 34-year crime report, criticises alliance partners

Amidst allegations by opposition parties that the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu is deteriorating and crime is on the rise, Vaiko, the General Secretary of the MDMK, on Tuesday released a list of crimes committed in the state over the last 34 years.

Addressing journalists in Chennai, Vaiko expressed grief that the TVK-led government is being criticised by two of its own alliance partners. He clarified that all parties in the ruling alliance, except for the IUML and MDMK, are criticising the administration.

Vaiko presented a detailed list of crimes committed in the state between May 1991 and May 2026. Referring to this list prepared by 'People's Watch', a human rights organisation based in Madurai, he highlighted several major criminal incidents.

Speaking on the subject for over an hour, Vaiko also recalled significant moments from his political journey. He detailed the circumstances of his arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in July 2002. He stated that upon learning the Tamil Nadu government had decided to detain him under POTA, he changed his return date from the USA from July 15 to July 11, reached Chennai, and surrendered for arrest. He added that while he was to be kept in Vellore Central Jail, officials attempted to detain him at Madurai Central Jail en route, an attempt that was abandoned after his fierce resistance.

Vaiko recalled that former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had first addressed him as 'Vaiko' instead of his full name, V. Gopalaswamy. He mentioned that during the first meeting held in Delhi for the formation of the National Front, Karunanidhi had sent him a note written as 'Thambi Vaikovukku'.

He further alleged that shortly after the founding of the MDMK, L. Ganesan and Gingee N. Ramachandran, acting on instructions from the DMK leadership, attempted to split the party and convene a rival General Council meeting, but those efforts failed.

After being released from prison under POTA, Vaiko undertook a padayatra from Tirunelveli to Chennai with 1,200 people. The purpose of this march was to end casteism and communal riots, and to ensure the complete eradication of narcotics. When the march reached the outskirts of the city, he was stopped from entering Chennai; however, he entered the city by defying the restrictions and addressed a public meeting.

Vaiko mentioned that he had strongly opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a special guest for his swearing-in ceremony, and was arrested after protesting at Jantar Mantar.

Stating that he had opposed the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi from the beginning, Vaiko alleged that attempts are now being made to restart the plant under the pretext of producing 'Green Copper'. He claimed that Anil Agarwal of Vedanta had sought an appointment with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay; however, following Vaiko's appeal, the Chief Minister did not meet him, leading Mr. Agarwal to approach the court.

According to a report in The Hindu, leaders of his party spoke in detail about his political contributions prior to Vaiko's address.