MDMK General Secretary Vaiko’s Samathuva Nadai Payanam (Equality March) began in a grand manner on January 2 near the Tennur Uzhavar Sandhai in Tiruchirappalli. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin flagged off the march and also walked alongside Vaiko for a short distance.
This 11-day march, which will conclude in Madurai on January 12, is being undertaken with key objectives such as social justice, eradication of drug abuse, communal harmony, and safeguarding youth from addiction and exploitation.
During the initial days in Tiruchirappalli district, thousands of party cadres and members of the public enthusiastically joined the march. On January 4, Vaiko performed Silambam, energising the crowd. As the march proceeded through Pudukkottai district, he sat by the roadside and interacted closely with party workers. During breaks, people—including women from rural areas—met Vaiko and submitted their grievances and demands.
On the morning of January 7, the march received a rousing welcome at Pulithipatti on the Sivagangai district border. Under the leadership of district secretary Manoharan and Madurai South MLA Pudur Boominathan, more than 100 state and district-level functionaries participated. Vaiko was given a grand reception with a massive garland placed using a crane.
So far, Vaiko has successfully completed nearly a quarter of the total distance of the march along with his supporters. Notably, he continues to walk with great enthusiasm, covering about 15 to 17 kilometres daily. The march is also seen as an important component of the DMK alliance’s campaign for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. As it continues towards Madurai, the Samathuva Nadai Payanam is drawing sustained attention in Tamil Nadu’s political arena.