Vaiko

Vaiko was born in Kalingapatty near Sankarankovil, Madras Presidency.{{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}}{{cite web|title=Interview with Vaiko|url=http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/11-29_Vaiko.php?uid=2093|date=29 November 2006}}

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.{{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}} He is an avid reader and orator known for his oratory skills both in Tamil and English. He has two daughters and a son.

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.{{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}}{{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}} Vaiko has been involved in and led anti Hindi agitations.{{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}}

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{{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}} twice.

Vaiko was known as "Lion Of Parliament" due to his vociferous speeches in Parliament.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

Vaiko often goes on foot marches along with his party cadres to attract attention to issues.{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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 by Jayalalithaa government.{{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}} He was released after spending 18 months in prison.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/election/2004/feb/07mdmk.htm|title=Vaiko released from prison|website=Rediff}}

In 2008, Criminal Investigation Department of Tamil Nadu police arrested Vaiko on charges of sedition.{{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}} 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. After 14 days in judicial custody, Vaiko was released.{{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 | Chennai News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=4 August 2010 }}

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.[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/article797500.ece No justification for extending ban on LTTE, says Vaiko] The Hindu - 27 September 2010{{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}}

On 3 April 2017, Vaiko was jailed in for sedition case filed by DMK in their 2010 regime.{{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}}

In 2005, Vaiko started the Marumalarchi Blood Donors' Club.{{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}} Vaiko has launched many engagement programmes in rural areas with the participation of villagers.{{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}} Vaiko has undergone a month-long padayatra in Tamil Nadu for the interlinking of interstate rivers in India.{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20100315215030/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/10/18/stories/2004101813620400.htm Padayatra boosted MDMK's image: Vaiko]}} 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.

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.{{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}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/print.php?printFOR=storydetail&story_url_key=no-real-tamil-speaking-leaders-in-tn§ion_url_key=nation|title=The Pioneer|website=www.dailypioneer.com|access-date=2016-11-26}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

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 (CPI), T. Velmurugan, Khadar Mohideen (IUML) and M H Jawahirullah (MMK) in Sathyam Cinemas.{{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}}

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{{Wikiquote}}

• [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:Living people

Category:India MPs 1998–1999

Category:India MPs 1999–2004

Category:Lok Sabha members from Tamil Nadu

Category:Indian political party founders

Category:Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians

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