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Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK), literally meaning Hindu People's Party, also pronounced as Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK), is a right-wing, Hindu nationalist party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The organisation was set up by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a front for its political activities in Tamil Nadu. Since its formation served as the platform for RSS and its subsidiaries known as the Sangh Parivar.

Formation

Hindu Munnani, the parent organization of Hindu Makkal Katchi was set up by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a front for its political activities in Tamil Nadu. Hindu Munnani org was founded in 1980 by Rama Gopalan, a member of R.S.S. and since its formation served as the platform for RSS and its subsidiaries known as the Sangh Parivar.

The organisation promoted a Hindu communal identity and used it as a political mobilisation strategy. In the early 1990s, the AIADMK Jayalalitha government (1991–1996) tilted towards Hindutva, in reaction to the vote-bank politics of DMK. Jayalalitha-led government supported the activities of Hindu Munnani in organizing Vinayaka Chathurthi processions in major cities of Tamil Nadu. The state government's support of Rama Gopalan's activity made him a follower of Jayalalitha. Due to this proximity, a faction of Hindu Munnani broke away and found another group named Hindu Makkal Katchi under the leadership of S.V. Sridhar in 1993. The militants of the two groups used vituperative and abusive language against the Muslims. The provocative speeches against Islam and Muhammad polarized the social atmosphere of the region. Their anti-Muslim speeches and activities led to formation of Muslim group Al Umma.

The activities of RSS, Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Katchi continued uninterrupted under Jayalalitha. The BJP alliance with AIADMK led to further spread of RSS ideology in Tamil Nadu. These organisations used religious festivals to combine their strength and caused riots.

Activities

Due to various extremist actions, the party was repeatedly in conflict with the law. Its leader Arjun Sampath was arrested in 1997 on an attempted murder charge.

Hindu Makkal Katchi staged demonstrations on 29 October 2017 in front of theatres across Tamil Nadu in protest against freedom of speech i.e. 'objectionable sentences' about Goods and Services Tax in actor Vijay's 'Mersal'. HMK leader Arjun Sampath led a demonstration in front of a theatre in Kumbakonam and demanded removal of the 'controversial sentences'. Party activists tore up banners of Vijay and movie director Atlee. In Tiruchirapalli, HMK members staged a demonstration in front of a theatre, while similar protests were held at Ottenchathram in Dindigul and in Chennai. The movie ran into trouble soon after its 18 October 2017 release, coinciding with Diwali, over 'incorrect references' to the GST.

In 2008 and 2009 party members were temporarily arrested by the police to block them from staging nationalistic demonstrations on the island of Kachchatheevu, which belongs to Sri Lanka.

In 2009, some Tamil fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy. To protect them, HMK supporters started agitations and pressurized Indian Govt to take responsibility of them and rescue them from Sri Lanka. When former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram visited Tamil Nadu, HMK supporters showed black flag as central government failed to rescue the Tamil fisherman from the Sri Lankan navy. 19 supporters were arrested and removed from the Gandhi park area by police. Not only Sri Lanka issue they also sought about handling problems in bilateral relations with Pakistan and China.

The party also made repeatedly headlines with peaceful charges against women. It pressed charges against the movie stars Khushbu Sundar (2006), Shriya Saran (2008) and Mallika Sherawat (2008) for "indecent dressing" and "offending Hindu values". Party members also harassed women visiting pubs and young couples being out on Valentine's Day.

The Party's president Arjun Sampath claimed that 1000 Dalit Christians will be reconverted to Hinduism at Tirunelveli which gains significance in the backdrop 9 March police shootout in which two people were killed when clashes broke out between the members of upper caste Catholics and Dalit Catholics.

The party's five activists were arrested for indulging in demolition of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's statue installed in front of the Rajagopuram of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.

In 2017, Hindu Makkal Katchi leader strongly opposed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second time visit to Sri Lanka next month, where he was going to participate in the United Nations Vesak Celebrations which was held from 12 to 14 May 2017. This 'International Day of Vesak' was hosted by the Buddhist-majority country and the commemorations in Colombo was also include an International Buddhist Conference in which over 400 delegates from more than 100 countries.

In November 2019, Hindu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath was detained following his draping of saffron shawl on Thiruvalluvar statue in Pillayarpatti, Thanjavur. This is read as an attempt at saffronization of Thiruvalluvar.

They were instrumental in bringing back Lakshmi, the temple elephant at Manakula Vinayagar Temple in Puduchery. Lakshmi was taken away by PETA and the Animal Welfare Board and accused the Temple of violating the Prevention of Cruelty to animals and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. She was relocated to Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kurumamber, where her health was reported to have deteriorated.

Attacks against Hindu Makkal Katchi

In February 2023, Manikandan, the south district deputy head of the Hindu Makkal Katchi was killed by a gang in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Police said that the accused escaped after committing the crime.

In March 2020, a group attacked Nandakumar, Tirupur north district deputy secretary of HMK. Police said that the group escaped after the attack.

In September 2018, the Coimbatore city police, arrested five persons (Jafar Safiq Ali (29) of Vysarpadi, Ismail (25) of Tindivanam, Samsudeen (20) and Shalavuddin (25) of Pallavaram, and Ashik (25) of Coimbatore) for planning to kill HMK leader Arjun Sampath and his son, Omkar Balaji. Coimbatore city police said that one of the accused, Ashik, was facing many cases, including the kidnapping of girls.

In January 2018, a gang threw petrol bombs at the house of HMK south zone organizing president, Balamurugan, in Sivaganga. Police said that the men came in a motorbike, threw bombs, and fled.

In July 2014, a group attempted to attack HMK spokesperson Sendhur Pandi, at Kenikarai. Police identified the attackers as Sadam Hussain (25), Mohamed Nizarudhin (23) and a 16-year-old boy, who were later arrested.

References

1. "Hindu outfit chief visits Sri Lanka, pays homage to Easter attack victims". The Hindu. PTI. 28 May 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
2. "Fact Check: Did PETA India torture elephants?". Deccan Herald. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
3. "Ban Valentine's day celebrations: Tamil Nadu fringe Hindu outfit". The Indian Express. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
4. ^ Parvathy, A. A. (2003). Hindutva, Ideology, and Politics. Deep & Deep Publications. p. 211. ISBN 978-81-7629-450-8. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
5. "A time of troubles". frontline.thehindu.com. 6 March 1998. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
6. "Pro-Hindu outfit HMK stages demonstration against 'Mersal'". Outlook. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
7. Hindu Makkal Katchi members arrested. The Hindu, 16 August 2008
8. Hindu Makkal Katchi TN secretary held Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine at Chennai-Online, 23 August 2009
9. ^ "Hindu Makkal Katchi activists arrested". The Hindu. 3 October 2009. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
10. HMK alleges Mallika Sherawat of misconduct at news.oneindia.in on 2 May 2008 (retrieved 24 September 2009)
11. Moral police targets Mallika Sherawat. The Tribune (Online Edition), 2 May 2008
12. Jeremy Page: Young Hindutuva members square up to nationalists over Valentine's Day. The Times, 14 February 2009
13. "1,000000 Dalit Christians to reconvert to Hinduism in TN". The Times of India. 13 April 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
14. "Periyar statue damaged at Srirangam, tension in town". The Hindu. 8 December 2006. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
15. "Hindu outfit opposes Narendra Modi's Lankan visit". Struggle for Hindu Existence. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
16. Ganesan, S. (6 November 2019). "Hindu Makkal Katchi founder detained after draping saffron shawl on Thiruvalluvar statue". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
17. "Jumbo Lakshmi gets grand welcome on return to Manakula Vinayagar temple in Puducherry". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
18. "Tamil Nadu: Hindu Makkal Katchi leader hacked to death in Madurai". India Today. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
19. "Hindu outfit functionary attacked in Tirupur". The Times of India. 18 March 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
20. "Tamil Nadu: Five held in Coimbatore for plotting to murder Hindu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
21. "Petrol bomb attack on Hindu Makkal Katchi leader's house". The Indian Express. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
22. WHN (3 July 2014). "Three arrested for bid to attack Hindu front man". World Hindu News. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

• Political parties in Tamil Nadu
• Indian Hindu political parties
• 1993 establishments in Tamil Nadu
• Political parties established in 1993