M.K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, called upon the people to join hands to thwart the entry of drugs and the “more dangerous intoxication of communal politics” into the State.
Arguing that caste and communal clashes were a significant problem in the country, Mr. Stalin said those in responsible positions, including Union Ministers, were indulging in hate speeches and instigating clashes.
“They are trying to destroy the unity and peace of the country for the sake of their ideologies. Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and people of the Backward Classes are living in a state of fear in the country. All of us know that even during the recent Christmas celebrations, there were attacks at various places. Did this situation prevail in the country until a few years ago?” he asked.
“Divisive forces are engaged in depicting the people of the country as enemies of each other. Instead of using spiritualism to foster love, some groups are using it to foment trouble,” Mr. Stalin said, flagging off the 11-day samathuva nadai payanam (communal harmony march) of MDMK general secretary Vaiko in Tiruchi.
Stressing unity, Mr. Stalin said drugs were fast encroaching and that all sections of society should unite to eradicate drugs.
He underscored the importance of coordination by Central and State governments to prevent the smuggling of narcotic substances. “A big network is operating in the country. The Centre and the States should work together to destroy the network. A lot of narcotic substances are entering the country. We have to place our trust in the Central agencies and work in tandem with them,” he said.
According to him, in Tamil Nadu, all agencies were cooperating and working in tandem with Central agencies to prevent the movement of narcotics. “For instance, we have seized drugs worth ₹1,000 crore in the last few months. These smuggling networks operate across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other States,” he said.
“Joint responsibility of parents and teachers is to not only stop the use of drugs but also generate awareness among the youth. It is not wrong to highlight ill-effects of drugs, but glorifying it would destroy a generation,” he said.
Commenting on Vaiko undertaking the padyatra despite his age, Mr. Stalin expressed confidence that it would create an awakening.
Mr. Vaiko said Tamil Nadu was facing a threat from “Sanatana forces”, which he alleged were trying to trigger communal clashes in the State. Equality and communal harmony had prevailed in Tamil Nadu and there was no place for communal divisions here, he said.
Terming the 2026 Assembly poll as a battle for samathuvam (equality) and samathuvam, Vaiko said that Dravidian and democratic secular parties, led by Mr. Stalin, would not allow the “Sanatana forces” to divide people on the basis of religion. He said the Dravidian movement was responsible for preventing Hindi imposition.
But for it, Tamil Nadu would have become a Hindi-speaking State, he said.
Indian Union Muslim League president Kader Mohideen, Dravida Kazhagam general secretary K. Veeramani, Makkal Needhi Maiam general secretary A. Arumugam, and MDMK principal secretary Durai Vaiko spoke.