Thalapathy Vijay To Launch Of 'Ellarukumana Thalaivar Ambedkar' Book In Chennai

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay is gearing up to headline a book unveiling ceremony in Chennai on December 6. The book, titled "Ellarukumana Thalaivar Ambedkar," (Ambedkar: Leader for All) is set to be a significant addition, with Vijay taking the reins for its release.

The event will see notable figures such as the retired Justice of Madras High Court, K Chandru, and Anand Teltumbde, Ambedkar's grandson and a social activist, in attendance to receive the book.

The decision for Vijay to lead the book launch comes amid a change of plans, initially set for Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thirumavalavan, an ardent follower of Ambedkar's principles, to do the honours.

However, Thirumavalavan has opted out of the event. This shift follows Vijay's bold declaration at TVK's Vikravandi conference on October 27, where he branded the ruling DMK as TVK's political foe. The concern was that Vijay's presence might turn the platform into a critique of the DMK, potentially embarrassing VCK, an ally in the DMK-led INDIA bloc.

The book, a collaborative effort by VCK deputy general secretary Aadhav Arjuna and the renowned Tamil media group Vikatan, seeks to celebrate Ambedkar's enduring legacy as a unifier. It's a move that aligns with Vijay's portrayal of Ambedkar alongside Kamaraj as TVK's inspirational figures.

In his party's debut public conference in October, the Tamil cinema icon voiced his opposition towards both the DMK and the BJP, though clarifying his stance on not adhering to Periyar's atheism.

"Periyar is our primary ideological leader. But, we will not adopt his atheism ideology alone. We neither agree nor believe in it. However, as former Chief Minister CN Annadurai said, we stand by One Race, One God principle (Ondre Kulam, Oruvane Thevan). Nevertheless, we will embrace all other principles of Periyar including education for women, equality for all and social justice politics," The Print quoted Vijay as saying.

Vijay further criticized the existing political environment without directly naming the DMK or BJP. He argued against merely ideological battles, emphasizing the need for action against corruption and divisive politics.

His comments on the state's governance hinted at an underlying critique of ideologically driven corruption, stressing the importance of welfare beyond mere self-reliance teachings. Additionally, Vijay mocked the labelling tendencies among DMK supporters, asserting the distinct identity and principles of TVK amidst political adversaries.

Founded in February 2024, TVK has quickly ascended as a notable political entity, with Vijay's inaugural public gathering drawing vast crowds. Through his speech, Vijay set a clear direction for TVK, balancing ideological reverence with a practical approach towards social justice, equality, and political integrity.