Vaiko: Difference between revisions

'''Vaiyapuri Gopalsamy ''', better known as '''Vaiko''', 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]].

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 seen as the ideological protege of former [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]], [[Karunanidhi|Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi]].{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} Vaiko was detained for more than a year in 1976-77 during the [[Emergency (India)|Emergency]] and for 40 days on charges of organising black flag demonstration against former [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]]'s visit to [[Tamil Nadu]] in October 1977.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} He has been arrested multiple times for demonstrations especially during the 1986-87 [[anti Hindi agitations]].{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

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>

The Case filed against Vaiko against the Sovereignty of India. Case filed in 2009 and Vaiko served for 56 days in a jail sentence. Vaiko Sentenced To 1 Year imprisonment And 10,000 Rupees fine. Few days after the judgment Vaiko made an appeal over the judgment. On listening to Vaiko's appeal Judge Adikasevalu ordered the suspension of the sentence imposed on Vaiko.{{cn|date=June 2020}}

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>[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.

[[Category:12th Lok Sabha members]]

[[Category:13th Lok Sabha members]]