Despite being an ally of the ruling DMK, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi had to knock on the doors of the judiciary to obtain permission to stage democratic protests. Its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan recently candidly said: “It has taken 25 years to get recognised as a State party. Many say I don’t know how to negotiate…that I don’t know to blackmail and be in politics like [PMK founder] Dr. Ramadoss. We are in alliance with the DMK, but we aren’t given permission to protest over the Vadakadu issue.”

Mr. Thirumavalavan further said caste atrocities were being seen as a ‘law and order’ issue by the bureaucrats and police.

A. Kathir, who runs the NGO Evidence, and participated in a protest organised by the VCK in Vadakadu, alleged there was political interference within the bureaucracy in caste-related issues.

“I wouldn’t say that bureaucracy operates only on hate against Dalits, but it also takes into account electoral considerations. For instance, only 12 people (from around 11 villages) have been arrested out of 300 persons who were involved in the attack against Dalits [in Vadakadu]. Police have arrested one person from each village. Why? They are trying to mobilise non-Dalits against Dalits. Also, the FIR says it is a fight between two groups, not an attack on Dalits. These decisions are taken by the bureaucracy with political calculations,” he said.

Observers feel that not holding the political establishment accountable and putting the interests of the party before that of the people it represents could affect the chemistry between the VCK and DMK cadre.

VCK general secretary and Villupuram MP D. Ravikumar said, “Forcing political parties to seek permission from the courts is, in a way, an evasion of responsibility. Shifting executive responsibility onto the judiciary is undesirable, as it may, in the long run, encourage judicial encroachment into executive functions.”