In his inaugural speech at the launch of his party, Thamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), actor Vijay spoke about one point with particular pride. Among the five guiding ideologues he presented for the party, two were women: Velu Nachiyar, the warrior queen who fought against the East India Company, and Anjalai Ammal, a freedom fighter who later served as a Congress MLA.
“This is the first time a political party is being founded with women as its guiding ideologues,” Vijay declared at the event held on October 27 in Vikravandi, Tamil Nadu.
A warrior queen and a freedom fighter among Vijay’s party’s ideologues
Vijay’s choice of ideologues, which also included Periyar, Ambedkar, and Kamarajar, left many intrigued. Tamil Nadu, after all, has a longstanding feminist legacy that spans politics, literature, and social reform, though it is often understated.
Velu Nachiyar, queen of Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu and often hailed as “Veeramangai” or “brave woman” by Tamils, is celebrated for her remarkable stand against British colonial rule, making her India’s first queen to wage war against the East India Company. Her campaign began in 1772, when her husband, Muthu Vaduganatha Periyavudaya Thevar, was killed in a battle with East India Company soldiers at KalaiyarKoil, drawing her into the conflict.
As the queen of the Sivaganga estate, she reclaimed her kingdom through a strategic alliance with Hyder Ali, the Maruthu Brothers, Dalit commanders, and her advisor Thandavarayan Pillai.
Anjalai Ammal, a prominent freedom fighter, social worker, and politician from Tamil Nadu, is known for her role in India’s independence movement and her contributions to social reform. She spent over seven years in prison, participating in significant campaigns such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, and Quit India Movement.
Her bravery earned her the title “Jhansi Rani of South India” from Mahatma Gandhi, whom she famously met in disguise to evade a British-imposed ban on their meeting. An early advocate for women’s rights, Anjalai Ammal encouraged her own daughter to join the movement. She was arrested in 1930 for picketing shops in Madras and later in 1932, enduring imprisonment even while pregnant. Released temporarily for the birth of her child, she was sent back to prison just two weeks later.
The actor’s decision to spotlight the two leaders as guiding figures has raised many eyebrows.
Apprehensions that Vijay’s efforts may be merely tokenistic
“First and foremost, it does make you happy to see women celebrated on cut-outs – a rare sight in most political parties, except perhaps in AIADMK, which was led by a woman,” says feminist theatre artist A. Mangai. Mangai’s play, Kaala Kanavu (A Dream of Time), with text by feminist historian V. Geetha, is a telling commentary on the history of feminist thought in Tamil Nadu. But Mangai is quick to express her apprehensions that Vijay’s efforts may be merely tokenistic.
“Many feminist figures, such as Maniyammai and Kunjitham, are frequently mentioned in Tamil Nadu’s political space, but as far as I can recall, Velu Nachiyar’s name has consistently been invoked only by Naam Thamizhar leader Seeman. Velu Nachiyar’s struggle for freedom is not the type we typically associate with figures like Anjalai Ammal. We often speak of her alongside Kattabomman and the Marudhu brothers. There is a sense of caste pride in invoking Velu Nachiyar’s name,” Mangai says.
While noting that it is too early to ascribe any motives to Vijay and his party, Mangai emphasises that both Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal were integral to the predominant struggles of their times.
“Their contributions are significant and deserve respect,” she says.
“However, the point Geetha raises in Kaala Kanavu is equally important: you don’t simply get added to a movement; you also change the movement you are part of, questioning it from within and shaking it up.”
“There are women who challenge and reshape the movements they are part of, effecting change from within. For me, K. P. Janakiyammal, Manalur Maniyamma (both Left leaders), and Kunjitham (from the Dravidian movement) exemplify such leaders. But while their contributions are still significant, there is no evidence that either Velu Nachiyar or Anjalai Ammal engaged in that kind of transformative action,” says Mangai.
Mangai argues that it is passé to believe and portray that women are standing with you simply by mentioning their names, deifying them, or portraying them as victims.
“It’s being used like a trump card, and we really don’t want to trust the motive any longer,” she adds.
While Vijay may think he is shining the spotlight on leaders who are often overlooked, this perspective may not fully hold true. The name of Velu Nachiyar has frequently been referenced by Naam Thamizhar, and there have been various books and a play about the queen, along with reports of an upcoming film.
Similarly, in November 2023, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated a statue of Anjalai Ammal in her hometown of Cuddalore, at the request of her great-grandson, N. Ezhilan, who is also a DMK MLA.
Curiously, on November 1, a day recognised as Tamil Nadu Day, Naam Thamizhar leader Seeman confronted actor Vijay directly, questioning whether he knew who Velu Nachiyar was. There were reports about a potential alliance between Seeman’s Naam Thamizhar and Vijay’s TVK for the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, but those attempts ultimately fell through.
The rift became increasingly difficult to reconcile after Vijay announced that his party would embrace both Dravidian and Tamil nationalist ideologies. Observers point out how Seeman’s entire political career has been built on pitting one ideology against another.
‘Vijay has not been openly critical of polarising forces’
Meanwhile, similar to the feminist perspective, Muslim representatives have also voiced their concerns about Vijay’s approach to minority issues. To begin with, he had a Muslim woman office bearer share the stage with him at the conference. However, by failing to robustly oppose the BJP – whom he claims to be an ideological enemy – just as he does with the political enemy DMK, Vijay may have fallen short of genuinely addressing these concerns.
M.H. Jawahirullah, president of the Manitheneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), notes that Vijay has not been as openly critical of polarising forces despite claiming to oppose polarisation. He points out the absence of Muslim representation among Vijay’s ideologues.
“Vijay did not acknowledge Quaid-e-Millat Ismail Sahib as a leader to be followed. He was a freedom fighter, an exemplary political leader, and a member of the Constituent Assembly that framed the laws of independent India. He advocated for Tamil to be recognised as the official language of India. While Vijay has a cut-out of Velu Nachiyar, why did his party fail to mention the names of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who provided steadfast support alongside her?” asks Jawahirullah.
Jawahirullah asserts that Vijay must recognise that this alienating attitude aligns with the BJP’s approach. He also questions why Vijay has not issued a statement regarding the Waqf (Amendment Bill), which undermines Muslim rights and coincided with the announcement of his party.
“He claims there shouldn’t be polarisation in politics, but whatever Vijay says does not instil confidence in those who have already been betrayed.”
Vijay may need to provide many answers as he continues to navigate the political landscape.
Perhaps aware of the criticisms directed at him, Vijay engaged in some damage control during the November 3 meeting of his party’s executive committee and district office bearers. Several resolutions were passed at the meeting, including one emphasising the party’s commitment to secularism and social justice principles.
Another resolution urged the state government to establish an award for Muslim women in the name of Quaide Milleth, while yet another called for the repeal of the Waqf Amendment) Bill, citing it as a violation of federal principles.
