Vaiko said Sanatana forces aligned with Delhi are attempting to create caste and religious conflicts. Despite unrest in northern states, Tamil Nadu has remained a land of unity.
Published Jan 02, 2026 | 3:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 02, 2026 | 3:28 PM
Chief Minister and DMK supremo inaugurates MDMK's Samathuva Nadaipayanam rally in Tiruchirappalli on Friday.
Synopsis: Congress leadership is reportedly unhappy over the use of a photograph of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on MDMK banners and invitations for the march. However, sources said Selvaperunthagai could not attend due to prior engagements and denied that his absence was linked to any political disagreement.
The absence of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai at the “Samathuva Nadaipayanam” (Equality March) led by MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Friday, 2 December, triggered speculation of strain within the DMK-led alliance.
Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated the march, marking his first public programme of 2026.
While leaders of the DMK, VCK and Indian Union Muslim League participated in the event, the non-appearance of Selvaperunthagai and other Congress leaders drew attention.
According to available information, Congress leadership was reportedly unhappy over the use of a photograph of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on MDMK banners and invitations for the march. However, sources close to Selvaperunthagai told South First, “he could not attend due to prior engagements and denied that his absence was linked to any political disagreement.”
Addressing the gathering, Stalin praised Vaiko for undertaking multiple padayatras across Tamil Nadu on people’s issues and remarked that his energy and stamina made it hard to believe he was 82 years old. He said both Vaiko and himself were products of the Dravidian ideological tradition shaped by Periyar and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
The chief minister said the objectives of the Equality March included eradicating drug abuse, preventing caste and religious conflicts, and addressing key national concerns. He said the state government’s anti-drug efforts had shown results but stressed that drug trafficking was a large, organised network that required coordinated action by both the state and Union governments.
Stalin cited the seizure of around one lakh drug tablets in districts such as Tiruvallur, Vellore and Ranipet, adding that those arrested were from other states or countries. He said eliminating drug abuse was a collective social responsibility and urged parents and members of the film and creative industries to act responsibly and avoid glorifying substance use.
He also criticised divisive politics at the national level, alleging that hate speeches by Union Ministers were fuelling unrest. Referring to attacks on minorities, including a recent incident involving Christians, he said Tamil Nadu would not allow communal politics to enter the state.
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said the Equality March reflected Vaiko’s firm ideological commitment and noted that while Vaiko had undertaken 10 padayatras earlier on various demands, this 11th march was centred on ideology.
He described the 2026 Assembly election as a contest between forces of equality and those promoting Sanatana ideology.
Thirumavalavan said the DMK-led alliance had come together to prevent such forces from entering Tamil Nadu and added that Dravidian ideology was not opposed to Tamil nationalism but had kept Tamil identity alive, standing for social justice and equality.
Indian Union Muslim League national president KM Khader Mohideen said the chief minister’s governance was being viewed as a model in other states. Comparing Vaiko’s march to Mao Zedong’s historic march, he said it would have a lasting impact and contribute to the 2026 Assembly election.
In his address, Vaiko recalled that the 1938 anti-Hindi imposition march had begun from Tiruchirappalli under the leadership of Periyar and said it was symbolically significant that the Equality March was now being launched from the same city.
He alleged that Sanatana forces aligned with Delhi were attempting to create caste and religious conflicts and said that despite unrest in northern states, Tamil Nadu had remained a land of unity. He said the march aimed to promote social harmony and campaign for public support for the continuation of the DMK-led alliance in the 2026 Assembly election.
Stalin presented the Equality March flag, symbolising all religious identities, to Vaiko. The march began from the Tennur Uzhavar Sandhai ground in Tiruchirappalli.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
