Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin today inaugurated the ‘Samathuva Nadai Payanam’—an equality march led by MDMK general secretary Vaiko—signalling a significant political and social campaign ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections later this year.
In a well-attended event at Uzhavar Sandhai in Tiruchy, Stalin officially flagged off the march, which is set to cover a distance of approximately 15–17 kilometres each day, concluding in Madurai on January 12. The programme saw a massive turnout, with supporters from various regions converging to witness the start of the twelve-day journey.
Stalin arrived in Tiruchy by air in the morning and was greeted by ministers including K.N. Nehru, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Raghupathi, Meyyanathan, and party functionaries along with local administration officials. A vibrant road show from the airport to the Uzhavar Sandhai grounds marked the beginning of the march, with jubilant crowds cheering and greeting the Chief Minister along the route.
In his brief address, Stalin acknowledged the importance of civic engagement and social awareness, reiterating the need for unity among people to combat social ills. He emphasised that the march is not just a political exercise but a movement aimed at fostering social harmony and public consciousness on pressing issues like drug abuse, caste discrimination, and communal tensions, themes echoed by Vaiko and other leaders involved in the campaign.
Vaiko, who will lead the march with over 1,000 party volunteers, said the initiative aims to draw public attention to the mounting drug menace among youth, violence, and caste-based clashes that have been of concern across Tamil Nadu. This “equality walk” is also being positioned as a platform to highlight the Dravidian model of governance and social reform, a cornerstone of the alliance that supports the current state government.