Vijay through his speech named Periyar EV Ramasamy, Dr BR Ambedkar, K Kamaraj, Velu Nachiyar and AV Ammal, drawing from their contributions towards social justice, empowerment, and Tamil pride.
Published Oct 28, 2024 | 3:39 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 28, 2024 | 3:39 PM
Much Ado about nothing: Actor Vijay's political entry(Supplied)
Actor-turned-politician Vijay in his maiden political conference on Sunday, 27 October, highlighted five historical figures as the ideological pillars of his party—Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Vijay through his speech named Periyar EV Ramasamy, Dr BR Ambedkar, K Kamaraj, Velu Nachiyar and AV Ammal, drawing from their contributions towards social justice, empowerment, and Tamil pride.
From the leaders’ contributions and ideologies, Vijay picked out key points he wanted to follow through and inculcate into his political ideology. While the male historical figures are well-known and are part of the public discourse,
Here is what the TVK chief said about each visionary and what they mean to the land of Tamil Nadu.
Periyar EV Ramasamy
Speaking about Periyar, Vijay claimed that he resonates with Thanthai Periyar’s advocacy for equality and women’s education. Vijay however clarified that he does not follow Periyar’s rejection of religion, but supports Periyar’s vision for social reform.
“We believe in good and equality,” Vijay stated, underlining his approach to Periyar’s legacy of challenging orthodoxy and fighting caste discrimination.
Indian philosopher, politician, independence and social activist, Periyar started the Self-respect Movement or the Dravidian Movement.
K Kamaraj
Further into his speech, Vijay named K Kamaraj, a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and freedom fighter. Describing Kamaraj as “an ideological architect,” Vijay highlighted his focus on education and employment.
The TVK chief also claimed to admire K Kamaraj’s secular approach and commitment to the people’s welfare, especially his work in expanding access to education across the region.
Dr BR Ambedkar
Vijay then named Dr BR Amdedkar, the father of the Indian constitution, economist, lawyer and social rights activist.
Vijay stated that BR Ambedkar was chosen as a symbol of equality, especially in advocating for marginalized communities and challenging social inequalities.
He also spoke of Ambedkar’s legacy as one that “demands equality in all forms,” a principle TVK claims to uphold.
Rani Velu Nachiyar
Among the women, Vijay named Rani Velu Nachiyar, known as India’s first woman freedom fighter, recalled for her bravery and resilience.
After the loss of her husband, Nachiyar took up the sword, forging alliances across communities, including Muslim allies, and fighting British rule. Her story, Vijay noted, is a reminder that “anyone can win” when united.
Who is Velu Nachiyar
According to a report, Velu Nachiyar, a powerful figure in Indian history, was a warrior queen from Tamil Nadu who pioneered resistance against British colonial forces long before India’s 1857 Rebellion. She married Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar, ruler of Sivaganga, and the couple ruled together until a British alliance with the Nawab of Arcot led to a brutal invasion in 1772, during which her husband was killed.
Following this tragedy, Velu Nachiyar went into hiding with her daughter, spending years in Dindigul under the protection of local allies.
During her time in exile, she formed strategic alliances, notably with Hyder Ali of Mysore, securing military support to fight the British. Her campaign to reclaim Sivaganga in 1780 was marked by both tactical brilliance and sacrifice, as her commander Kuyili set herself ablaze to destroy a British ammunition depot, crippling their forces.
After reclaiming her kingdom, Velu Nachiyar ruled Sivaganga, focusing on the welfare of her people and pioneering women’s empowerment through initiatives like training an army of women.
Despite her significant contributions, Velu Nachiyar’s legacy remains underrecognized. However, recent efforts have honoured her memory with statues and commemorations, highlighting her role as a forerunner of India’s independence movement. Her life story continues to inspire, especially as one of the earliest recorded Indian monarchs to resist British rule effectively and on her terms as suggested in another report.
AV Ammal
Vijay noted that Ammal was an influential figure celebrated for her sacrifices as a freedom fighter, who worked alongside Mahatma Gandhi, Periyar, and Bharathiyar. Vijay pointed out that Ammal’s repeated imprisonments and selfless dedication made her a “superstar” of her time.
He emphasized that TVK was the first party to hold female icons as primary inspirations, aiming to reflect these values in his party’s policies.
Who is AVAmmal
According to a report, AV Anjalai Ammal was a dedicated freedom fighter from Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, whose contributions to India’s independence movement were highly significant but remain underappreciated in historical records.
Born on 1 June 1890, in a family of weavers, she was deeply influenced by Gandhian principles and engaged in various freedom struggle activities, often facing imprisonment. Her early exposure to revolutionary ideas was amplified by her interactions with figures like Subramania Bharati, whose writings she financially supported.
The same report suggests that she played a vital role in organizing protests, including the 1930 Dandi March-inspired Cholinganallur March in Tamil Nadu, for which she faced imprisonment. Throughout her life, she remained steadfast in her opposition to British rule, refusing to seek clemency during her incarceration, a testament to her unwavering commitment to India’s freedom.
Anjalai Ammal’s life reflects the resilience and courage of women in India’s freedom struggle, despite the challenges and societal constraints they faced. Her legacy is a reminder of the many unsung heroes who contributed to India’s independence.
Vijay’s party claims to follow the footsteps and guidance of these five ideological icons from recent history.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
