Published Jun 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 11, 2026 | 9:00 AM
Tamil Nadu's Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu outlines his vision for the next five years.
Synopsis: From rejecting electoral politics to becoming part of Tamil Nadu’s government, VCK says its long-standing demand for a “share in governance and power” has now become reality under Vijay-led TVK. In this interview with South First, Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu speaks about VCK’s alliance with Vijay, BJP overtures to the party, caste violence in southern Tamil Nadu, and why the party now supports a government it had once viewed with suspicion.
Thirty-seven years after Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) took root as a radical anti-caste movement that once boycotted elections, the party now shares power in Tamil Nadu’s government under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
In this interview with South First, Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu speaks about VCK’s journey from protest politics to governance, why the party rejected BJP’s “Sanatana politics,” and why it chose to align with Vijay despite earlier criticism linking him to the RSS.
He also discusses caste violence in southern Tamil Nadu, honour killing laws, Justice K Chandru and Justice KN Basha commission recommendations, land pattas for Dalits, and his vision as the Minister for Social Justice.
Q: After 37 years since VCK’s formation, you have now reached a stage where the party has a share in governance and power. How do you view this journey?
A: This is our dream. We now feel we are moving towards the goal, the very purpose for which VCK was founded. It has given hope to cadres and people like me.
Before 1999, VCK boycotted elections, raising the slogan, “None of you is honest; our votes are for no one.” Our leader, Thirumavalavan, started this movement to bring the youth to a revolutionary path.
Over time, there was an evolution within the party that we must move towards political power. Based on that understanding, after VCK entered electoral politics in 1999, we adopted the slogan “Share in governance, share in power.” That very slogan is what has made me sit here today as a minister.
This is a huge dream. I come from a community that could only stand outside the Secretariat and look at political power from afar, a community that watched Cabinet meetings only through news reports, without even understanding what they truly meant, a community that observed from outside the system how the police and officials functioned.
Today, for someone from that community to sit here as the Minister for Social Justice is a major transformation. More importantly, I come from a movement that has been fighting for social justice for over a quarter century.
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Q: But this dream has been realised through Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. You were in the DMK alliance for a long time, yet this dream became possible only through Vijay. How do you see that?
A: Even before becoming the chief minister, immediately after launching the party, Vijay declared the slogan “Share in governance, share in power.” But we were already continuing in another alliance. We remained in that alliance since we considered it a successful one.
But now, a favourable political climate has emerged. The BJP-led Union government gives alliance partners a share in governance. There were many attempts to bring our leader into that arrangement. But it is a government centred around right-wing Sanatana politics. Therefore, our leader rejected it.
Q: Did anyone directly approach you asking you to join them?
A: Yes, there were official talks. But it would be more appropriate if our leader spoke about those talks. Leaders like Ram Vilas Paswan and Ramdas Athawale spoke to us. The BJP has a larger goal of politically absorbing Dalit leadership across India. But when it comes to opposing Sanatana politics and opposing the BJP without compromise, our leader Thirumavalavan stands uniquely at the national level. That is why he rejected it ideologically.
This government wants to work together with Left-oriented political forces and parties. That is why we are part of this alliance and this Cabinet. The timing and political circumstances were right for us to participate.
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Q: You are part of TVK’s first cabinet. How has the experience been? Is there freedom to function, or are there pressures and obstacles?
A: I met the chief minister in his office after taking charge as the minister. The one message he gave me was: “Function independently.” He said the same thing to everyone handling their respective departments.
A clean government is important. ‘No corruption’ is equally important. But beyond that, ministers must independently think about how to improve and strengthen their departments. He (Vijay) said the same in the Cabinet meeting as well. I, too, placed several demands in the Cabinet meeting.
My vision for the next five years is to ensure that people across Tamil Nadu receive house sites and land ownership pattas. Everywhere I go, this is the demand people raise. Even after 75 years of Indian independence, many people still do not have house sites or pattas. It is a shame for independent India.
If a majority of people in independent India still do not have land or pattas, who should feel ashamed? I want to address this issue over the next five years. It is my primary focus. Beyond that, we must improve and strengthen Adi Dravidar Welfare Schools and hostels.
Why is this important? Because Adi Dravidar and tribal communities, who are the indigenous people of this land, often cannot access CBSE schools. Through CBSE schools, the three-language policy is being indirectly imposed, and those schools are being systematically strengthened. Many are moving towards them. To counter that, we must strengthen our own schools. That is the vision of this department.
Third, we want to improve cremation grounds for Dalits and tribal communities across Tamil Nadu. In many places, cremation grounds do not exist, or existing ones have been encroached upon. We have decided to address these issues seriously.
Q: Studies say there are 82 forms of caste-based untouchability still prevalent in Tamil Nadu. What is your vision to eliminate them?
A: For the past several decades, this has been our struggle. Petitions, protests, agitations, our movement has continuously fought against caste untouchability. Now, we have come to a position where we can attempt to resolve these issues directly. The demands you mentioned will certainly become priority demands.
When there is no cremation ground, or no pathway to access it, or when such lands are encroached upon, that itself is a form of untouchability. Barriers in school admissions are also a form of untouchability. Untouchability exists in many forms. We are planning awareness initiatives and policy interventions to eliminate these practices.
Also Read: Of a dream that ordered Dalits away
Q: Usually, when a new government takes charge, commissions and reports formed by previous governments are ignored. Will this government implement the recommendations of the Justice KN Basha Commission, formed by the previous DMK government, to explore a separate law against caste honour killings, and Justice K Chandru’s report on eliminating caste practices in schools?
A: During the confidence motion debate on this government, I spoke about the need for a separate law to prevent honour killings. I requested that the recommendations of the Justice KN Basha Commission, formed by the previous DMK government, be accepted and implemented.
There was a committee under Akbar Ali regarding education, employment, and promotions for Dalits and tribal communities under Article 16(4A). I requested that its recommendations also be implemented.
Similarly, Justice Chandru has made several recommendations to prevent caste killings and violence in the southern districts. We have insisted that all these recommendations must be implemented and laws enacted wherever necessary.
After I spoke that day, the Chief Minister said all progressive schemes initiated in the past would continue. In the upcoming Assembly session, too, we will raise the demand for a law against honour killings.
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Q: Recently, brutal caste-based mob attacks have taken place in southern districts such as Tirunelveli and Tenkasi. Will these districts be declared special zones and receive focused intervention?
A: You are referring to the Alangulam incident. Immediately after the incident, I visited the place on behalf of the Social Justice Department and met the affected people. We ensured immediate SC/ST relief funds were provided. I told officials this was a dangerous and organised pattern that could become a serious threat. To prevent such incidents, we must implement Justice Chandru’s recommendations. A concrete action plan is needed.
These incidents have repeatedly occurred in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, and Tenkasi districts. VCK has long demanded that these areas be declared atrocity-prone zones. Now that we are in a position of responsibility, we will pursue this demand.
This is not about suppressing any community. It is about ensuring social harmony and social justice. Innocent people must be able to live without fear or tension. This government will certainly act on it.
Q: Thirumavalavan once said, “Vijay was conceived by the RSS.” Now that one month has passed since this government came to power, does VCK still hold the same position, or has there been a change?
A: Our leader has already clarified this statement. In the current political situation, the Chief Minister had many opportunities while forming the government. But he chose to reject those options and instead work with Left-oriented forces. We accept that move.
We are observing how his policies and governance evolve. In the cabinet meeting, he presented a five-year vision titled “Vetri Tamilagam,” focused on people’s welfare, state rights, and protecting Tamil Nadu’s identity.
We see it as a roadmap for strengthening Tamil Nadu and safeguarding its rights and identity. That is why we are supporting this government and working alongside it. This is a government we helped create. It is our government too.
Q: So does that mean you have now changed your earlier stand? That Vijay is not RSS-backed?
A: That is why we are supporting him now.
Q: Then, as Praveen Chakravarty says, is VCK now part of a Tamil Nadu Social Justice Alliance?
A: Our leader will decide on alliance matters. He has participated in the INDIA bloc meetings. Today, he is in a position to take major political decisions in Tamil Nadu. Our leader will announce the party’s stand, and we will follow it.
Q: It was earlier announced that Thirumavalavan would contest from the Kattumannarkoil constituency, but that was later withdrawn. Even now, if he wishes, he could contest from any constituency and enter Tamil Nadu politics directly. What is your or the party’s stand on his contesting the polls?
A: Just two days ago, our leader clearly announced that he will not contest elections and will continue focusing on Delhi politics. His announcement is final and firm.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
