PMK and VCK engage in a verbal spat over violence in Nemili village

A political friction has surfaced again between the PMK and the VCK over the recent violence at Nemili village in Ranipet district involving two groups, wherein two youth sustained serious burns.

While PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss claimed that those who attacked the youth were either members or supporters of the VCK, the latter’s chief, Thol. Thirumavalavan, has denied it.

The Chidambaram MP, in a statement on Saturday, accused Dr. Anbumani and PMK founder S. Ramadoss of attempting to create a social unrest and urged members of the public not to believe “their lies”.

PMK spokesperson K. Balu countered this claim, arguing that several photographs that circulated on social media showed the accused wearing VCK scarves and posing with the VCK cadre. “Mr. Thirumavalavan has deviated from Dr. Ambedkar’s call to educate, organise and agitate. Instead, he has been encouraging his party’s youth to violate, misbehave and retaliate..,” he said, wondering how speaking about the incident would cause a social unrest. “It is because of the work done by the PMK and its founder that regular clashes between Dalits and non-Dalits have almost been eradicated in the northern districts of the State,” Mr. Balu added.

In response, VCK deputy general secretary Vanni Arasu reiterated that in the investigation conducted by his party’s leadership into the incident, it came to light that those who committed the heinous act did not belong to the VCK.

“One can say that the party tried to cover up the issue, but the police that often took an antagonistic stand towards the VCK also investigated the case, and ruled out caste and political angles. The violence unfolded because of personal motives…,” he added.

Mr. Vanni Arasu further claimed that PMK leaders were blaming the VCK for the incident as they wanted to divert attention from the internal issues surrounding their party. “It could also be that they want to take the spotlight away from the DMK’s decision to build a memorial to 21 martyrs [Vanniyars], who lost their lives during protests seeking reservation [for Vanniyars]…,” he said.