Thol. Thirumavalavan

Thol. Thirumavalavan Biography

Thol. Thirumavalavan is a politician and Dalit activist from Anganur, Tamil Nadu. At present he is a Member of Parliament representing Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) from Tamil Nadu. He was elected in 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Chidhambaram Lok Sabha constituency in his third attempt, allied with DMK. He holds a Bachelor's course in chemistry, master’s degree in Criminology and Bachelor of Law from Madras Law College. He is the President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (Liberation Panthers Party), a Dalit political party. This Dalit leader rose to prominence in the early 1990’s. Apart from his support to dalits, he also promises extensive support for Tamil nationalist movements and groups across the globe. He has also authored a few books and appeared in a few Tamil movies as well.

He was born in Anganur in 1962. Born in a middle class family, he was the only child who was able to complete school education and go for higher studies. He completed Master’s as well as LLB. After studies he worked in government's Forensic Department as a scientific assistant. However he resigned from his service to contest in 1999 polls. Though he became a prominent leader of Dalits in the early 1990’s, his entrance to active politics happened only with 1999 elections. But he was defeated in both 1999 and 2004 general elections and won for the first time in 2009 from Chidhambaram constituency. He won the 2001 state assembly elections in alliance with DMK. But he resigned the post due to ideological differences with the alliance party.

As his party is caste-oriented, he has been accused several times for causing caste violence and communal indifferences. His frequent clash with Vanniyar and its leader Ramadoss is quite well known. However they worked together during the period of 2004 to 2009, when they were part of the same electoral alliance.They once again drifted apart when the alliance was broken.

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Updated: May 12, 2014