Arul. K

Arul Arumugam, 39, is an environmental activist and techie-turned-farmer leader from Tiruvannamalai who has emerged as a prominent voice against industrial encroachment on agricultural lands in Tamil Nadu. With only an 8th-grade education, he has led the anti-SIPCOT movement in Tiruvannamalai district, organizing protests against the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu's plans to acquire wetlands for industrial park development. His activism has resulted in multiple confrontations with authorities, including arrests in November 2023 and December 2025 on charges ranging from obstructing public servants to protesting sand mining. Politically, Arul first contested the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election from Tiruvannamalai constituency representing Makkal Needhi Maiam party, losing to DMK's E.V. Velu. For the 2026 elections, he switched to the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party led by actor Vijay, though his affidavit lists him as an Independent candidate. He faces the same opponent—E.V. Velu, now a sitting minister—in what he himself acknowledges is a challenging contest. Human rights organizations like Front Line Defenders have recognized him as a human rights defender, while activist groups have condemned his arrests as attempts to suppress democratic protest. His affidavit raises several questions: he declares total assets of only Rs. 30,000 with zero land ownership despite being described as a farmer leader, lists his profession as 'Fruit Shop & Social Service' though no media coverage mentions any fruit business, and declares zero criminal cases despite documented FIRs and arrests. Voters should note the discrepancies between his official declarations and his well-documented activist history, while also considering whether his grassroots environmental work and willingness to challenge the establishment outweigh concerns about transparency in asset and criminal record disclosure.