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The Tamil Nadu police have denied permission for a 100-day padayatra launched by Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, citing potential law and order issues over the internal conflict within the party. Police fear clashes between supporters of Anbumani and those loyal to the party’s founder-president Dr S Ramadoss. The PMK patriarch has publicly disapproved of the campaign and lodged a complaint with the police, stating that the campaign is being carried out without his consent. This marks the latest instance in the growing rift between father and son.
Defying police orders, Anbumani commenced the padayatra on Friday, July 25, from Thiruporur in Chengalpattu district. The former Union Health Minister offered prayers at the Thiruporur Kandaswamy Temple and garlanded a statue of B.R. Ambedkar before addressing a public meeting.
He said the yatra, titled Urimai Meetpu Payanam (Rights Retrieval Yatra), aimed to realise “the dream of Dr Ayya (Ramadoss)” to free Tamil Nadu from liquor and drugs, and to ensure farmers’ welfare, accessible healthcare, and quality education.
However, in a formal complaint to the Director General of Police (DGP), Dr S Ramadoss urged the police to prohibit the yatra, warning of possible unrest within the party. In his petition, he asserted that Anbumani—who is the executive president—lacked the authority to organise such a programme without his consent. He further objected to his son using the Ramadoss surname, and accused him of misusing the party name and flag without approval, terming it a violation.
“The PMK headquarters functions solely from my residence in Thailapuram. Any operations from Chennai or elsewhere are unauthorised,” Dr Ramadoss told reporters earlier on Thursday. He added that the party’s official appointments had been submitted to the Election Commission: himself as president, GK Mani as honorary president, Anbumani as executive president, Murali Shankar as general secretary, and Syed Mansoor Hussain as treasurer.
Following the petition, the DGP’s office directed all Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in Tamil Nadu to deny permission for the yatra. “The founder and president of PMK is Dr S Ramadoss. No roadshow can be held in the party’s name without his consent,” read the circular. The police also warned of possible clashes between the two factions, which could endanger both the public and party workers.
Nevertheless, Anbumani launched the padayatra and used the occasion to sharply criticise the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. He accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of failing to maintain law and order, citing rising crimes against women and the government’s delay in implementing the 10.5% internal reservation for Vanniyars within the Most Backward Classes category.
“We see a Chief Minister who gives a two-hour call sheet every day, acts for the cameras, and then disappears,” Anbumani said.
“People are angry, and farmers are angry. Women and girls are unable to step outside their homes. The Chief Minister is responsible for this, as the Police Department is under his control. Recently, a young girl in Tiruvallur district was sexually assaulted. Similar incidents have occurred in Anna Nagar (Chennai), Krishnagiri, Pollachi, and Trichy,” he added.
He also criticised the DMK for failing to restore the old pension scheme, which was a key demand of government employees and teachers who had supported the party during the elections. “Seven states have already done so. Why not Tamil Nadu? They’ve set up a committee, a classic DMK tactic to delay action until just before elections,” he alleged.
Questioning the timing of the newly launched Ungaludan Stalin outreach programme, Anbumani said, “The PMK demanded a Right to Services Act 15 years ago. Had that been implemented, these special camps would not be necessary.”