Chennai

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a prominent Dalit political party and ally of the DMK in Tamil Nadu, is set to conduct liquor prohibition rallies in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana. This initiative follows the success of a recent anti-liquor rally in Ulunderpet, Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu, led by the party’s women’s wing on October 2. The rally aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption, particularly after the tragic deaths of 67 people in June due to illicit liquor.

VCK founder and Member of Parliament Thol Thirumavalavan announced plans for similar conferences in the four states. We will conduct anti-liquor and anti-drug conferences in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka, he shared on X. Motivated by the success in Kallakurichi, and the VCK aims to expand its influence in South India.

During the Kallakurichi rally, the VCK adopted several resolutions, including a call for the Union government to establish a national policy for complete liquor prohibition and for the Tamil Nadu government to set a timeline for closing state-run TASMAC liquor stores. Thirumavalavan emphasized that most victims of illicit liquor tragedies are Dalit youths. The VCK has two Lok Sabha MPs and has also won four Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu in alliance with the Congress party.