Jump to content

Vaiko: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Caste requires self-identification in an interview for a living person per WP:CASTEID. There is no self-identification in the sources
 
(402 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1944)}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2014}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Indian name|Gopalsamy Naiyakar|Vaiyapuri}}
{{Infobox Indian politician
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Vaiko
| name = Vaiko
| image =
| birth_name = Vaiyapuri Gopalsamy
| caption =
| image = Special screeing for Mr. Vaiko (cropped).JPG
| birth_date ={{birth date and age|1944|05|22|df=yes}}
| caption =
| birth_place =[[Kalingapatty]], [[Sankarankovil]], [[Tirunelveli District]] [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|05|22|df=yes}}
| residence =
| birth_place = [[Kalingapatty]], [[Madras Province]], [[British India]] (now in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| death_date =
| residence = [[Anna Nagar]], [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| death_place =
| death_date =
| office = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
| death_place =
| constituency = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| office = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| term =1978-1996
| term_start = 25 July 2019
| predecessor =
| term_end =
| successor =
| office1 =[[Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| constituency = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| term_start1 = 3 April 1978
| constituency1 = [[Sivakasi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sivakasi]], [[Tamil Nadu]]<ref name="VaikoLokSabha">{{cite web | url=http://164.100.47.192/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=498&lastls=13 | title=Vaiko Parliament Bioprofile | publisher=[[Lok Sabha]] | accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref>
| term1 = 1998-2004
| term_end1 = 2 April 1996
| constituency1 = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| predecessor1 = V. Alagirisamy
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| successor1 = [[A. Ravichandran]]
| term_start2 = 19 March 1998
| office2 =
| term_end2 = 17 May 2004
| constituency2 =
| predecessor2 = V. Alagirisamy
| term2 =
| successor2 = [[A. Ravichandran]]
| predecessor2 =
| constituency2 = [[Sivakasi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sivakasi]]
| successor2 =
| party =[[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| office3 = General Secretary of the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| term_start3 = 6 May 1994
| religion =
| predecessor3 = ''Position established''
| spouse = Renuka Devi
| successor3 =
| children = [[Durai Vaiyapuri]], Rajalakshmi, Kannagi<ref>[mdmk.org.in/member/mr-vaiko Vaiko Resume]</ref>
| party = [[File:MDMK.svg|20px]] [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (1994)
| website =
| footnotes =
| religion =
| otherparty = [[File:Flag DMK.svg|20px]] [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (1964-1993)
| date = |
| alma_mater = [[St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai]], [[Presidency College, Chennai]], [[Madras Law College]]
| year = |
| occupation = [[Politician]]
| source = http://164.100.47.192/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=498&lastls=13}}
| spouse = Renukadevi
| children = [[Durai Vaiyapuri]], Rajalakshmi, Kannagi
| website =
| footnotes =
| nationality = Indian
}}


'''Vaiko''', birth name '''Vaiyapuri Gopalsamy''' (born 22 May 1944), is an Indian politician. He is a member of the [[Rajya Sabha]], the upper house of the [[Parliament of India]] from [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/vaiko-anbumani-elected-unopposed-to-rajya-sabha-from-tamil-nadu/articleshow/70174819.cms | title=Vaiko, Anbumani elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu | publisher=[[The Economic Times]] | date=11 July 2019 | access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> He is the founder and [[General Secretary]] of the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (MDMK), a political party active mainly in the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. He was earlier elected to the [[Lok Sabha]], the lower house of the [[Parliament of India]] from [[Sivakasi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sivakasi]], [[Tamil Nadu]].
'''Vaiyapuri Gopalsamy''', also known as '''Vaiko''', is an [[India]]n politician. He is the founder and General Secretary of the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (MDMK), a political party active mainly in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. He is known for his advocacy to protect the livelihood of tamils in Tamil Nadu and rest of the world.{{cn|date=April 2016}} Also Vaiko is well known for his continuous support for the self determination rights of [[Tamil people]] in [[Sri Lanka]] and the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam|LTTE]].{{cn|date=April 2016}}

==Early life and education==
==Birth==
Vaiko was born in [[Kalingapatty]] near [[Sankarankovil]], [[Madras Presidency]] (now [[Tamil Nadu]])in an affluent upper caste telugu speaking Naidu Family .<ref name="Interview with Vaiko">[http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/11-29_Vaiko.php?uid=2093 Interview with Vaiko]</ref><ref>http://www.uyirmmai.com/Uyirosai/ContentDetails.aspx?cid=1206 (in Tamil)</ref> He graduated with a Gold Medal in his Bachelor of arts degree in economics from [[St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai]] and masters from [[Presidency College, Chennai|Presidency College]], [[Chennai]]. He obtained his bachelor's degree in law from [[Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai|Madras Law College]].<ref name="Vaikospeech">{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/17266904.cms | title=Shooting from the lip | publisher=[[Times of India]] | date=28 June 2002 | accessdate=31 May 2016}}</ref>
Vaiko was born in [[Kalingapatty]] near [[Sankarankovil]], [[Madras Presidency]].<ref>{{cite web|date=6 February 2017|title=News 18 : Politics|url=http://www.news18.com/news/politics/after-series-of-outsider-chief-ministers-sasikala-to-be-first-tamil-cm-after-29-years-1345645.html}}</ref><ref name="Interview with Vaiko">{{cite web|title=Interview with Vaiko|url=http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/11-29_Vaiko.php?uid=2093|date=29 November 2006}}</ref>

==Education==
He graduated with a Gold Medal in his Bachelor of arts degree in economics from [[St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai]] and masters from [[Presidency College, Chennai|Presidency College]], [[Chennai]]. He obtained his bachelor's degree in law from [[Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai|Madras Law College]].<ref name="Vaikospeech">{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/17266904.cms | title=Shooting from the lip | publisher=[[Times of India]] | date=28 June 2002 | access-date=2016-05-31}}</ref> He is an avid reader and orator known for his oratory skills both in Tamil and English. He has two daughters and a son.


==Political career==
==Political career==
Vaiko is now the general secretary of the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|MDMK party]]. Vaiko was a part of [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) and was formerly a close colleague of former [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]], [[Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-09-06 |title=Vaiko praises his mentor, steers clear of current politics |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/vaiko-praises-his-mentor-steers-clear-of-current-politics/articleshow/60383083.cms |access-date=2023-12-13 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DMK reaches out to MDMK leader Vaiko |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dmk-mdmk-karunanidhi-vaiko-tamil-nadu-pmk-aiadmk-leader-stalin-225208-2014-10-30 |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=India Today |date=30 October 2014 |language=en}}</ref> Vaiko has been involved in and led [[anti Hindi agitations]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-04 |title=Tamil Nadu parties decry centre's 'Hindi imposition' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-anti-hindi-protests-set-to-intensify/articleshow/94629750.cms |access-date=2023-12-13 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
Vaiko was a part of [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (D.M.K) and was formerly seen as the ideological protege of former [[Chief Minister]] of Tamil
, [[Karunanidhi|Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi]].{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} Vaiko was detained for more than an year in 1976-77 during [[Emergency (India)|emergency]] and for 40 days on charges of organizing black flag demonstration against former Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]]’s visit to [[Tamil Nadu]] in Oct 1977.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} He has been arrested multiple times for peaceful demonstrations especially during the 1986-87 [[anti Hindi agitations]].{{cn|date=April 2016}}


He entered the [[Rajya Sabha]] in 1978 and has been member of the Upper House for three terms. He has also been elected to the Lok Sabha twice.<ref name="Interview with Vaiko"/> In 1993, Vaiko started [[MDMK]] due to differences with Karunanidhi amid rumblings that Karunanidhi promoted his son [[M. K. Stalin]] to succeed him.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}
He entered the [[Rajya Sabha]] in 1978 and has been member of the Upper House for three terms. He has also been elected to the [[Lok Sabha]]<ref name="VaikoLokSabha">{{cite web | url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=498&lastls=13 | title=Vaiko Parliament Bioprofile | publisher=[[Lok Sabha]] | access-date=2017-08-23}}</ref> twice.<ref name="Interview with Vaiko"/>


Vaiko was known as "Tiger Of Parliament" due to his vociferous speeches in Parliament.<ref name="AlwaysonMove">{{cite web | url=http://www.theweek.in/columns/Sachidananda-Murthy/always-on-the-move.html | title=Always on the move | publisher=The Week | work=Sachidananda Murthy | date=8 May 2016 | accessdate=31 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.telugumirchi.com/en/politics/modi-will-become-pm-vaiko.html | title=Modi will become PM : Vaiko | publisher=Telugu Mirichi | date=1 January 2014 | accessdate=31 May 2016}}</ref> Vaiko protested against [[Kerala]]'s demand for a new dam at [[Mullaperiyar]] and proposed building of dams in Pambar and [[Siruvani]]. Vaiko also supported national interlinking of rivers and [[Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project]]. Vaiko filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in [[Madras High Court]] requesting closure of the copper smelting plant of [[Sterlite Industries]] in [[Tuticorin]] which did not follow the waste management procedures correctly and leading to the closure of the plant.<ref>[http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-09-29/news/27612526_1_smelting-plant-nadu-pollution-control-board-smelter HC orders closure of Sterlite Ind’s Tuticorin plant]</ref>
Vaiko was known as "Lion Of Parliament" due to his vociferous speeches in [[Parliament of India|Parliament]].<ref name="AlwaysonMove">{{cite web | url=http://www.theweek.in/columns/Sachidananda-Murthy/always-on-the-move.html | title=Always on the move | publisher=The Week | work=Sachidananda Murthy | date=8 May 2016 | access-date=2016-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.telugumirchi.com/en/politics/modi-will-become-pm-vaiko.html | title=Modi will become PM : Vaiko | publisher=Telugu Mirichi | date=1 January 2014 | access-date=2016-05-31}}</ref> Vaiko protested against [[Kerala]]'s demand for a new dam at [[Mullaperiyar]] and proposed building of dams in Pambar and [[Siruvani]]. Vaiko also supported national interlinking of rivers and [[Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project]]. Vaiko filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in [[Madras High Court]] requesting closure of the copper smelting plant of [[Sterlite Industries]] in [[Tuticorin]] which did not follow the waste management procedures correctly and leading to the closure of the plant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-09-29/news/27612526_1_smelting-plant-nadu-pollution-control-board-smelter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302063936/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-09-29/news/27612526_1_smelting-plant-nadu-pollution-control-board-smelter|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2014|title=Smelting Plant Nadu Pollution Control Board Smelter|date=2010-09-29|website=The Economic Times}}</ref>


Vaiko often goes on foot marches along with his party cadres to attract attention to issues.<ref>[http://tamil.oneindia.in/news/2012/12/10/tamilnadu-vaiko-call-total-abolishment-liquor-166056.html Vaiko's nadaiyanamans]</ref>
Vaiko often goes on foot marches along with his party cadres to attract attention to issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/2012/12/10/tamilnadu-vaiko-call-total-abolishment-liquor-166056.html|title=பூரண மதுவிலக்கை அமல்படுத்தும் வரை 'சிலுவைப் போர்': வைகோ அறிவிப்பு|first=Mayura|last=Akilan|date=11 December 2012|website=[[Oneindia.com]]}}</ref>


===Support of LTTE===
===Support of LTTE===
Vaiko unequivocally supported [[LTTE]] and other organizations fighting for a separate Tamil country in [[Sri Lanka]].{{cn|date=April 2016}} He made a trip to Eelam at the height of the [[LTTE]]’s war with [[Sri Lankan Army]].{{cn|date=April 2016}} Vaiko was the first member of Parliament and chief of a registered political party in the country to be detained under the [[Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002]].<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=12546 Vaiko arrested from Chennai airport] {{wayback|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=12546 |date=20120925185411 |df=y }}</ref> He was released after spending 18 months in prison.<ref>[http://in.rediff.com/election/2004/feb/07mdmk.htm Vaiko released from prison]</ref>
Vaiko unequivocally supported [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) and other organizations fighting for a separate [[Tamil Eelam]] country in [[Sri Lanka]]. He made a trip to [[Eelam]] 1989 at the height of the LTTE's war with [[Sri Lankan Army]] when [[IPKF]] [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] was at [[Jaffna]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tamilnation.co/diaspora/tamilnadu/061127vaiko.htm|title=Vaiko: "Sri Lankan Tamils want a Separate Nation"|website=tamilnation.co|access-date=2017-04-04}}</ref> Vaiko was the first member of Parliament and chief of a registered political party in the country to be detained under the [[Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=12546|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925185411/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=12546|url-status=dead|title=Vaiko arrested from Chennai airport|archive-date=25 September 2012}}</ref> He was released after spending 18 months in prison.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/election/2004/feb/07mdmk.htm|title=Vaiko released from prison|website=Rediff}}</ref>


In 2008, [[Criminal Investigation Department]] of Tamil Nadu police arrested Vaiko on charges of sedition.<ref name=hindu241008>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102458440100.htm |title=Vaiko arrested on charges of sedition |work=The Hindu |first=S. Vijay |last=Kumar |date=24 October 2008 |accessdate=4 February 2012}}</ref> The charges stemmed from speeches Vaiko made at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue and the government's raids into LTTE-held areas on 21 October 2008.<ref name=hindu241008 /> After 14 days in judicial custody, Vaiko was released.<ref>http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/964B5450510EE02D652574F90048007E?OpenDocument {{Dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref>
In 2008, [[Criminal Investigation Department]] of Tamil Nadu police arrested Vaiko on charges of sedition.<ref name=hindu241008>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102458440100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026125414/http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/24/stories/2008102458440100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2008 |title=Vaiko arrested on charges of sedition |first=S. Vijay |last=Kumar |date=24 October 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2012-02-04}}</ref> The charges stemmed from speeches Vaiko made at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue and the government's raids into LTTE-held areas on 21 October 2008.<ref name=hindu241008 /> After 14 days in judicial custody, Vaiko was released.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Sedition-trial-against-Vaiko-from-Sept-6/articleshow/6253775.cms|title=Vaiko: Sedition trial against Vaiko from Sept 6 &#124; Chennai News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=4 August 2010 }}</ref>


He stated that [[India]] should retract its ban on the [[LTTE]], claiming the ban was a shield to suppress freedom of expression and stifle the voice of the Opposition.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/article797500.ece No justification for extending ban on LTTE, says Vaiko] The Hindu - 27 September 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/26/stories/2011062663810900.htm Lift ban on LTTE, demand [[MDMK]] lawyers]</ref>
Vaiko has said that India should retract its ban on the LTTE, claiming the ban was a shield to suppress freedom of expression and stifle the voice of the Opposition.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/article797500.ece No justification for extending ban on LTTE, says Vaiko] The Hindu - 27 September 2010</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/26/stories/2011062663810900.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702054814/http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/26/stories/2011062663810900.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 July 2011|website=[[The Hindu]]|title=Lift ban on LTTE, demand MDMK lawyers|date=26 June 2011}}</ref>


On 3 April 2017, Vaiko was jailed in for sedition case filed by DMK in their 2010 regime.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/vaiko-jailed-for-sedition/article17769922.ece|title=Vaiko jailed in sedition case filed by DMK regime|last=Sivaraman|first=R.|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-04-04|language=en}}</ref>


==Philanthropy==
==Philanthropy==
In 2005, Vaiko started the Marumalarchi Blood Donors' Club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/23/stories/2006022307350400.htm |title=Marumalarchi blood donors save boy's life |work=The Hindu |date=23 February 2006 |accessdate=4 February 2012}}</ref> Vaiko has launched many engagement programmes in rural areas with the participation of villagers.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/13/stories/2004101305610500.htm More about Tank Desilting Program]</ref> Vaiko has undergone a month-long [[padayatra]] in Tamil Nadu for the interlinking of inter state rivers in India.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/10/18/stories/2004101813620400.htm Padayatra boosted MDMK's image: Vaiko]</ref>
In 2005, Vaiko started the Marumalarchi Blood Donors' Club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/23/stories/2006022307350400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906005953/http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/23/stories/2006022307350400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 September 2006 |title=Marumalarchi blood donors save boy's life |date=23 February 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2012-02-04}}</ref> Vaiko has launched many engagement programmes in rural areas with the participation of villagers.<ref>{{cite web |title=More about Tank Desilting Program |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/13/stories/2004101305610500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041127101543/http://www.hindu.com/2004/10/13/stories/2004101305610500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 November 2004 |language=en |website=[[The Hindu]] |date=13 October 2004}}</ref> Vaiko has undergone a month-long [[padayatra]] in Tamil Nadu for the interlinking of interstate rivers in India.<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20100315215030/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/10/18/stories/2004101813620400.htm Padayatra boosted MDMK's image: Vaiko]}}</ref> Vaiko during the time he represented Sivakasi Constituency in Loksabha conducted several medical camps for his constituents. He conducted medical camps for physically disabled people in his constituency with the help of Sri Venkateshwara Medical College, Thirupathi. Thousands of people afflicted by polio attended the camp and were given medical aid including corrective surgery at Thirupathi and Whitefield, Bengaluru and post-surgery aid, equipments, etc,. He conducted medical camps for providing the Hepatitis B vaccine for children and provided vaccines for 65000 children in his constituency. Considering the logistics and the planning involved in providing the vaccines in three doses to 65000 children, the program was successful without a hitch. And considering the fact that all these medical camps were organized by Mr. Vaiko without any government help and with his own money, it itself states the philanthropic nature of the leader.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
He married Renuka Devi on 14 June 1971. Vaiko enjoys writing in his free time and has authored over 50 books ([[Tamil language|Tamil]] & [[English language|English]]) apart from regular essays and columns in newspapers.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i0vLCwAAQBAJ&q=vaiko+tamil+nationalism&pg=PT193|title=Why Regional Parties?: Clientelism, Elites, and the Indian Party System|last=Ziegfeld|first=Adam|date=19 February 2016|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781316539002|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/print.php?printFOR=storydetail&story_url_key=no-real-tamil-speaking-leaders-in-tn&section_url_key=nation|title=The Pioneer|website=www.dailypioneer.com|access-date=2016-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/angered-by-question-vaiko-storms-out-of-interview-1290900|title=Angered By Question, Vaiko Storms Out Of Interview|newspaper=NDTV.com|access-date=2016-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/video-vaiko-and-art-walking-out-interview-40818|title=Video: Vaiko and the art of walking out of an interview|date=26 March 2016|newspaper=The News Minute|access-date=2016-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamilnadu2016/vaiko-denies-receiving-any-money-from-aiadmk/article8442072.ece|title=Vaiko denies receiving any money from AIADMK|date=6 April 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Vaiko-storms-out-of-TV-interview-on-query-about-fund-offer/articleshow/51561889.cms|title=Vaiko storms out of TV interview on query about fund offer - Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India.|access-date=2016-11-26}}</ref>
He married Renuka Devi on 14 June 1971. Vaiko enjoys writing in his free time and has authored over 50 books apart from regular essays and columns in newspapers.

==Documentary film==
Six decades of the political life of Vaiko were filmed by Durai Vaiko and released by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu [[M. K. Stalin]], [[K. Veeramani]], [[R. Nallakannu]], [[K. S. Alagiri]], [[Thol. Thirumavalavan]], [[K. Balakrishnan (CPI-M)]], R Mutharasan, [[T. Velmurugan]], Khadar Mohideen (IUML) and M H Jawahirullah (MMK) in Sathyam Cinemas.<ref>{{Cite news |author=The Hindu |url= https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/documentary-film-chronicling-the-life-of-vaiko-released/article65880295.ece |title=Documentary film about the life of Vaiko released |date=11 September 2018 |access-date=11 September 2022}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


{{s-start}}
==External links==
{{s-par|in-lwr}}
{{s-bef|before=[[V. Alagirisamy]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br>for [[Sivakasi (Lok Sabha constituency)|Sivakasi]] |years=1998 – 2004}}
{{s-aft|after=[[A. Ravichandran]]}}
|-
{{s-end}}


==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.mdmk.org.in Official website of MDMK]
* [http://www.mdmk.org.in Official website of MDMK]
*[http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=498&lastls=13 Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]

{{Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu}}
{{Sri Lankan Civil War}}


[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu politicians]]
[[Category:India MPs 1998–1999]]
[[Category:12th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1999–2004]]
[[Category:13th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian political party founders]]
[[Category:Indian political party founders]]
[[Category:Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:People from Virudhunagar district]]
[[Category:POTA detainees]]
[[Category:Indian Peace Keeping Force]]
[[Category:People of the Sri Lankan civil war]]

Latest revision as of 13:55, 19 December 2024

In this Indian name, the name Vaiyapuri is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Gopalsamy Naiyakar.
Vaiko
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 July 2019
ConstituencyTamil Nadu
In office
3 April 1978 – 2 April 1996
ConstituencyTamil Nadu
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
19 March 1998 – 17 May 2004
Preceded byV. Alagirisamy
Succeeded byA. Ravichandran
ConstituencySivakasi
General Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Incumbent
Assumed office
6 May 1994
Preceded byPosition established
Personal details
Born
Vaiyapuri Gopalsamy

(1944-05-22) 22 May 1944 (age 80)
Kalingapatty, Madras Province, British India (now in Tamil Nadu, India)
Political party Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1994)
Other political
affiliations		 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1964-1993)
SpouseRenukadevi
ChildrenDurai Vaiyapuri, Rajalakshmi, Kannagi
Residence(s)Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Alma materSt. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, Presidency College, Chennai, Madras Law College
OccupationPolitician

Vaiko, birth name Vaiyapuri Gopalsamy (born 22 May 1944), is an Indian politician. He is a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India from Tamil Nadu.[1] He is the founder and General Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), a political party active mainly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He was earlier elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.

Birth

[edit]

Vaiko was born in Kalingapatty near Sankarankovil, Madras Presidency.[2][3]

Education

[edit]

He graduated with a Gold Medal in his Bachelor of arts degree in economics from St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai and masters from Presidency College, Chennai. He obtained his bachelor's degree in law from Madras Law College.[4] He is an avid reader and orator known for his oratory skills both in Tamil and English. He has two daughters and a son.

Political career

[edit]

Vaiko is now the general secretary of the MDMK party. Vaiko was a part of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and was formerly a close colleague of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi.[5][6] Vaiko has been involved in and led anti Hindi agitations.[7]

He entered the Rajya Sabha in 1978 and has been member of the Upper House for three terms. He has also been elected to the Lok Sabha[8] twice.[3]

Vaiko was known as "Lion Of Parliament" due to his vociferous speeches in Parliament.[9][10] Vaiko protested against Kerala's demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar and proposed building of dams in Pambar and Siruvani. Vaiko also supported national interlinking of rivers and Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project. Vaiko filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Madras High Court requesting closure of the copper smelting plant of Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin which did not follow the waste management procedures correctly and leading to the closure of the plant.[11]

Vaiko often goes on foot marches along with his party cadres to attract attention to issues.[12]

Support of LTTE

[edit]

Vaiko unequivocally supported Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other organizations fighting for a separate Tamil Eelam country in Sri Lanka. He made a trip to Eelam 1989 at the height of the LTTE's war with Sri Lankan Army when IPKF Indian Peace Keeping Force was at Jaffna.[13] Vaiko was the first member of Parliament and chief of a registered political party in the country to be detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002.[14] He was released after spending 18 months in prison.[15]

In 2008, Criminal Investigation Department of Tamil Nadu police arrested Vaiko on charges of sedition.[16] The charges stemmed from speeches Vaiko made at a party meeting on the Sri Lankan issue and the government's raids into LTTE-held areas on 21 October 2008.[16] After 14 days in judicial custody, Vaiko was released.[17]

Vaiko has said that India should retract its ban on the LTTE, claiming the ban was a shield to suppress freedom of expression and stifle the voice of the Opposition.[18][19]

On 3 April 2017, Vaiko was jailed in for sedition case filed by DMK in their 2010 regime.[20]

Philanthropy

[edit]

In 2005, Vaiko started the Marumalarchi Blood Donors' Club.[21] Vaiko has launched many engagement programmes in rural areas with the participation of villagers.[22] Vaiko has undergone a month-long padayatra in Tamil Nadu for the interlinking of interstate rivers in India.[23] Vaiko during the time he represented Sivakasi Constituency in Loksabha conducted several medical camps for his constituents. He conducted medical camps for physically disabled people in his constituency with the help of Sri Venkateshwara Medical College, Thirupathi. Thousands of people afflicted by polio attended the camp and were given medical aid including corrective surgery at Thirupathi and Whitefield, Bengaluru and post-surgery aid, equipments, etc,. He conducted medical camps for providing the Hepatitis B vaccine for children and provided vaccines for 65000 children in his constituency. Considering the logistics and the planning involved in providing the vaccines in three doses to 65000 children, the program was successful without a hitch. And considering the fact that all these medical camps were organized by Mr. Vaiko without any government help and with his own money, it itself states the philanthropic nature of the leader.

Personal life

[edit]

He married Renuka Devi on 14 June 1971. Vaiko enjoys writing in his free time and has authored over 50 books (Tamil & English) apart from regular essays and columns in newspapers.[24][25][26][27][28][29]

Documentary film

[edit]

Six decades of the political life of Vaiko were filmed by Durai Vaiko and released by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. K. Stalin, K. Veeramani, R. Nallakannu, K. S. Alagiri, Thol. Thirumavalavan, K. Balakrishnan (CPI-M), R Mutharasan, T. Velmurugan, Khadar Mohideen (IUML) and M H Jawahirullah (MMK) in Sathyam Cinemas.[30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Vaiko, Anbumani elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu". The Economic Times. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  2. ^ "News 18 : Politics". 6 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Interview with Vaiko". 29 November 2006.
  4. ^ "Shooting from the lip". Times of India. 28 June 2002. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Vaiko praises his mentor, steers clear of current politics". The Times of India. 6 September 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  6. ^ "DMK reaches out to MDMK leader Vaiko". India Today. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Tamil Nadu parties decry centre's 'Hindi imposition'". The Times of India. 4 October 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Vaiko Parliament Bioprofile". Lok Sabha. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Always on the move". Sachidananda Murthy. The Week. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Modi will become PM : Vaiko". Telugu Mirichi. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  11. ^ "Smelting Plant Nadu Pollution Control Board Smelter". The Economic Times. 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014.
  12. ^ Akilan, Mayura (11 December 2012). "பூரண மதுவிலக்கை அமல்படுத்தும் வரை 'சிலுவைப் போர்': வைகோ அறிவிப்பு". Oneindia.com.
  13. ^ "Vaiko: "Sri Lankan Tamils want a Separate Nation"". tamilnation.co. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  14. ^ "Vaiko arrested from Chennai airport". Archived from the original on 25 September 2012.
  15. ^ "Vaiko released from prison". Rediff.
  16. ^ a b Kumar, S. Vijay (24 October 2008). "Vaiko arrested on charges of sedition". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 October 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  17. ^ "Vaiko: Sedition trial against Vaiko from Sept 6 | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India. 4 August 2010.
  18. ^ No justification for extending ban on LTTE, says Vaiko The Hindu - 27 September 2010
  19. ^ "Lift ban on LTTE, demand MDMK lawyers". The Hindu. 26 June 2011. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011.
  20. ^ Sivaraman, R. "Vaiko jailed in sedition case filed by DMK regime". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  21. ^ "Marumalarchi blood donors save boy's life". The Hindu. 23 February 2006. Archived from the original on 6 September 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  22. ^ "More about Tank Desilting Program". The Hindu. 13 October 2004. Archived from the original on 27 November 2004.
  23. ^ Padayatra boosted MDMK's image: Vaiko[usurped]
  24. ^ Ziegfeld, Adam (19 February 2016). Why Regional Parties?: Clientelism, Elites, and the Indian Party System. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781316539002.
  25. ^ "The Pioneer". www.dailypioneer.com. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  26. ^ "Angered By Question, Vaiko Storms Out Of Interview". NDTV.com. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  27. ^ "Video: Vaiko and the art of walking out of an interview". The News Minute. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  28. ^ "Vaiko denies receiving any money from AIADMK". The Hindu. 6 April 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  29. ^ "Vaiko storms out of TV interview on query about fund offer - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  30. ^ The Hindu (11 September 2018). "Documentary film about the life of Vaiko released". Retrieved 11 September 2022.
Lok Sabha
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Sivakasi
1998 – 2004 		Succeeded by
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vaiko.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Vaiko.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Vaiko&oldid=1263937368"