Chidambaram MP Thirumavalavan has sparked a controversy by equating the national flag with his party flag and stoking separatism. Thirumavalavan is the chief of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi which is an ally of DMK. His comment has drawn widespread criticism as it amounts to treason.
VCK had planned to install a flagpole and hoist their party flag in Salem, Tamil Nadu. However they were denied permission by the police. Yet VCK cadres went to the municipal office infront of which flags of all political parties operating in TN are hoisted. Despite police refusing permission they installed a flagpole there and hoisted their party flag.
Thirumavalavan had posted the video of his cadres hoisting the flag in rebellion and tweeted, “Today our movement flag! Tomorrow our national flag! #VCKflag #Tamilsflag”.
This has sparked a controversy as Thirumavalavan has insulted the Tricolour by equating it with his party flag and implying that TN might secede from Bharat one day. Many Twitter users tagged NIA’s official handle as it amounts to treason and demanded for his disqualification.
It also drew ridicule as even after Thirumavalavan had held talks with leaders of his ally DMK, permission to hoist his party flag wasn’t given and his party cadre were arrested for hoisting the flag. Thirumavalavan instead of taking DMK to task for denying social justice, criticised the police for being “anti-Dalit”. Without realising that not even his political ally respects his party’s flag, he went on to say that it would become the national flag one day.
In the recent assembly elections Thirumavalavan’s party members contested under DMK symbol and won in 4 constituencies. Earlier in 2011 assembly elections VCK contested in their own symbol and didn’t win even a single constituency. In the 2016 assembly elections they allied with ADMK. Their recent victory is attributed to the pro-DMK wave and DMK’s money power.
DMK often promotes secessionism through its fringe organisations and even gave ticket to Dr.Ezhilan, MLA of Thousand Lights constituency, despite the fact that he encouraged separatism. Other DMK leaders including MK Stalin often talk about Dravida Nadu to issue a veiled threat of secession.
However Thirumavalavan has crossed all boundaries by saying that his party flag will become the national flag. He has many times accused the BJP government at centre of changing the constitution. While amending and introducing new laws is perfectly within the boundaries of the constitution, insulting the national flag isn’t. When they themselves don’t respect the constitution expecting others to do so is ironic.
(Featured Image Source: The Indian Express)
