Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, whose Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has consistently revered 18th-century freedom fighter Queen Rani Velu Nachiyar as one of its principal ideological icons, is facing criticism after a viral video claimed that a TASMAC liquor shop and bar is operating within a portion of the historic Sivagangai Palace associated with the legendary queen. The claim has triggered outrage among nationalists, heritage enthusiasts and local residents, who have demanded that the government restore the sanctity of the historic site.
The controversy has gained traction on social media, with critics questioning how a government led by a party that regularly celebrates Velu Nachiyar’s legacy could allow a liquor outlet to function from a place linked to one of Bharat’s earliest freedom fighters. The incident has also prompted calls for the immediate removal of the liquor shop and protection of the heritage premises.
A viral video on social media claims that a TASMAC liquor shop and bar is operating inside the historical Sivagangai Palace, the place where the brave freedom fighter Queen Rani Velu Nachiyar ruled. It drew public outrage, reminding CM Vijay that she has been portrayed as one of TVK’s icons all along.
Hindu Munnani, in a post, said: “TVK, which has Velu Nachiyar as its ideological icon, and the same party has turned her place into a drinking bar. This is an insult to the Queen and a freedom fighter. This is shocking. She is not only TVK’s ideological icon; for the entire Bharat, Velu Nachiyar is one of the freedom fighters. We want the TVK government to accord appropriate respect and honour to her.”
வேலு நாச்சியார் அவர்களை கொள்கைத் தலைவராக வைத்திருக்கும் தவெக அரசு!
வேலு நாச்சியார் அவர்களின் அரண்மனையை டாஸ்மாக் மதுபானக் கூடமாக மாற்றியதும் தவெக அரசு தான்..
சிவகங்கையில் வேலு நாச்சியார் அவர்களை அவமானப்படுத்தும் வகையில் அவருடைய அரண்மனையை அரசு மதுபானக் கூடுமாக மாற்றியுள்ளது வேதனை… pic.twitter.com/nLJaeOSUKZ
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) July 31, 2026
One of the netizens, Prof. Sumathi, said: “Rani Velu Nachiyar’s palace is now a government liquor shop…? From a monument of valour to a monument of intoxication, is this the change Tamil Nadu deserves? This is not CHANGE. This is DISGRACE.”
Rani Velu Nachiyar’s palace is now a government liquor shop…?
From a monument of valour to a monument of intoxication,
is this the change Tamil Nadu deserves?This is not CHANGE. This is DISGRACE.#Sivaganga #VeluNachiyar #ProtectHeritage #TamilHistory #TamilPride
Picture… pic.twitter.com/D903nvU1k0
— Prof Sumathi (@ProfSumathi) July 25, 2026
In another post, she said: “Locals and social media users identify the current TASMAC site as part of the historic premises tied to Velu Nachiyar and the former Sivaganga rulers. There is public anger and calls for the government to remove the liquor outlet to protect the heritage site.”
Actor-turned-politician Vijay, at the time of launching his political party Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), honoured Rani Velu Nachiyar as a primary ideological anchor and guiding mentor for his party, along with another little-known unsung freedom fighter, Anjalai Ammal, as well as B.R. Ambedkar, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and K. Kamaraj.
On her birth anniversary, Joseph Vijay garlanded her statue. Velu Nachiyar was an 18th-century queen of Sivaganga who famously fought and counter-attacked the British East India Company, representing pride, courage and resistance.
TVK highlights her as one of the first major political parties in Tamil Nadu to honour women historical figures as principal ideological mentors rather than token symbols. Vijay keeps her cut-outs and imagery alongside other male icons during foundational state conferences and regularly pays floral tributes to her at the party headquarters in Panaiyur.
Now, it is hoped that the government, which claims Velu Nachiyar as one of its ideological figures, will take action and retrieve the premises from those running the bar, irrespective of their political identity. When the Central government celebrated year-long events in memory of unsung freedom fighters across the country as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Velu Nachiyar was among those commemorated.
She is one of them. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav was a 75-week grand celebration launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark 75 years of Independence and unveiled a long-term roadmap extending to 2047.
