MD. TARIQUL ISLAM at 02:27, 30 April 2026

2026-04-30T02:27:09Z

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{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = A. Ashvathaman
| image = Ashvathaman.jpg
| image_upright = yes
| caption =
| office = State Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Nadu
| term_start = July 2025
| term_end =
| predecessor =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1987}} | birth_place = [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| spouse = A Durkha
| occupation = [[Lawyer|Advocate]], Politician
| education = B.A., B.L.
| alma_mater = [[Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai]]
| website =
}}

'''A. Ashvathaman''' is an Indian politician and legal activist from [[Tamil Nadu]]. He currently serves as the State Secretary of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in Tamil Nadu. An advocate by profession, he is known for his legal activism and for contesting the [[2024 Indian general election]] from the [[Tiruvannamalai Lok Sabha constituency|Tiruvannamalai Lok Sabha Constituency]].

== Early life and education ==
Ashvathaman was born in Tamil Nadu to P. Allimuthu and A. Arulmozhi. He pursued a legal education, obtaining his B.A. and B.L. degrees. He is a registered advocate and has practiced law in the [[Madras High Court]] and other judicial forums before entering active politics.

== Political career ==
Ashvathaman rose through the ranks of the Tamil Nadu BJP, often representing the party in media debates and legal disputes. He is considered a close associate of the former state president [[Kuppusamy Annamalai|K. Annamalai]]. Now he continues as State Secretary of the BJP Tamil Nadu for the 2nd term, appointed by [[Nainar Nagendran]].

=== 2024 Lok Sabha election ===
In the [[2024 Indian general election]], the BJP fielded Ashvathaman as its candidate for the [[Tiruvannamalai Lok Sabha constituency]]. His campaign focused on central government schemes and local infrastructure development. Although he did not win the seat, he significantly increased the party's vote share in the region.

== Technology initiatives ==

A. Ashvathaman is the founder of Tamil AI, a project recognized as India’s first indigenous [[Large language model|Large Language Model (LLM)]] specifically dedicated to a regional language. Launched with the goal of evolving into a holistic AI ecosystem, the project focuses on the digitization and integration of ancient Tamil literature—including foundational works such as [[Sangam literature]] and the [[Tolkāppiyam|Tolkappiyam]], into a native AI framework. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between cultural preservation and modern technological inclusion.

The project was officially inaugurated on June 10, 2025, by [[Ashwini Vaishnaw]], the Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and Information Technology, and Information and Broadcasting. During the launch, the Minister described the project as a "path-breaking" initiative for the democratization of technology, noting its potential to transform how [[artificial intelligence]] serves the global Tamil-speaking population.<ref>https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2025/Jun/11/union-min-vaishnaw-lauds-tns-electronics-sector-growth#:~:text=He%20lauded%20Tamil%2DAI%20as,world's%20oldest%20and%20richest%20languages.</ref><ref>https://www.tamil-ai.com/about</ref>

== Speech at the UN Human Rights Council ==

On March 12, 2026, [[Ashvathaman Allimuthu|Ashvathaman]] addressed the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]], arguing that [[global warming]] possesses a critical cultural dimension often overlooked by technical and industrial perspectives. He posited that [[cultural diversity]] promotes ecological balance, suggesting that varied lifestyles and rituals—particularly those found in polytheistic civilizations—prevent the standardized, high-consumption patterns he associated with monotheistic religions. Using the [[Kedilam River]] in [[Panruti]] as an example of [[nature worship]], he claimed that the preservation of ancient civilizations is essential for environmental protection.

Ashvathaman warned that the loss of [[Ancient Egypt|Ancient Egyptian]] and [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] civilizations due to religious conversion should serve as a cautionary tale, echoing Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s focus on civilizational self-respect. He concluded by urging the international community to curtail rapid [[religious conversion]] in regions with ancient heritage, framing it as a necessary step for "world protection" against climate change.<ref>{{cite web |title=Item 95: General Debate - 28th Meeting, 61th Regular Session of Human Rights Council |url=https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k15/k1574mflm5 |website=UN Web TV |access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>https://x.com/asuvathaman/status/2033392895353553145?s=20</ref>

== Legal activism and controversies ==
As a lawyer-politician, Ashvathaman has filed several high-profile complaints and petitions:

* In 2023, he sought the Governor's permission to initiate criminal proceedings against [[Udhayanidhi Stalin]] regarding the latter's remarks on Sanatana Dharma.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/bjp-seeks-guv-nod-to-initiate-criminal-suit-against-udhaya/articleshow/103409753.cms|title=BJP seeks governor nod to initiate criminal suit against Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin|date=September 6, 2023|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref>
* In 2025, he filed a formal complaint against State Minister [[K. Ponmudy]] for alleged derogatory remarks against women.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/tamil-nadu-bjp-leader-ashvathaman-allimuthu-files-complaint-against-state-minister-k-ponmudy-over-derogatory-speech-and-remarks-on-women20250415135735/|title=Tamil Nadu BJP leader Ashvathaman Allimuthu files complaint against State Minister K. Ponmudy over derogatory speech and remarks on women|website=ANI News}}</ref>

* He has been a vocal critic of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] government, frequently citing issues related to the [[Jal Jeevan Mission]] and federalism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/tn-bjp-accuses-dmk-government-corruption-pmay-jal-jeevan-971|title=BJP Exposes DMK's Corruption in Modi's Welfare Schemes|date=May 4, 2025|website=NewKerala.com}}</ref>

* In 2017, Ashvathaman emerged as a resolute defender of national integrity by filing a [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigation]] against the film [[Mersal]], boldly challenging what he termed as "wrong propaganda" regarding the nation's [[Goods and Services Tax (India)|GST]] and [[Digital India]] policies. Though the [[Madras High Court]] ultimately upheld the film's certificate on the grounds of free speech, Ashvathaman's legal crusade stood as a courageous stand against the dissemination of misinformation, sparking a vital national conversation on the accountability of cinema toward the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/madras-hc-dismisses-pil-against-mersal-says-free-speech-is-for-all-488138/|title=Madras HC dismisses PIL against Mersal; says free speech is for all|website=The Tribune}}</ref>

* In 2015, while still a young practicing advocate, A.Ashvathaman launched a formidable legal challenge against the [[Hindu Marriage Act, 1955|Hindu Marriage (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act]], 1967, by filing a [[Public interest litigation in India|Public Interest Litigation (PIL)]] in the [[Madras High Court]]. This bold move saw him contest the [[constitutional]] validity of the very first piece of legislation signed by the iconic [[C. N. Annadurai|C.N. Annadurai]] upon assuming office as [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]. Ashvathaman argued that the Act’s legalization of 'Self-Respect' (Suyamariyathai) marriages undermined traditional [[Vedas|Vedic customs]], asserting that the absence of rituals like saptapadi (the seven steps) deviated from the essential tenets of [[Hindu Marriage Act, 1955|Hindu marriage law]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/hc-dismisses-pil-challenging-self-respect-marriage/article7863484.ece|title=HC dismisses PIL challenging self respect marriage|date=November 9, 2015|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/hc-self-respect-marriages-cant-be-made-illegal/articleshow/49732822.cms|title=HC: Self respect marriages can't be made illegal|date=November 10, 2015|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref>

* In a steadfast defense of constitutional authority, Ashvathaman took a decisive stand following the 2023 Assembly clash between the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] government and Governor [[R. N. Ravi|R.N. Ravi]]. Demonstrating his commitment to the rule of law, he filed a formal police complaint against DMK [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]s under [[Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code|Section 124]] of the [[Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita|Indian Penal Code]], courageously challenging any attempt to restrain or assault the [[Governor (India)|Governor]]’s lawful exercise of power. His swift legal intervention served as a powerful counter-response to the "GetoutRavi" campaign, positioning him as a prominent guardian against political overreach and a vocal champion for the sanctity of the gubernatorial office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/getoutravi-posters-crop-up-in-tamil-nadu-bharatiya-janata-party-hits-back-with-banners-hailing-him/cid/1909011|title='GetoutRavi' posters crop up in Tamil Nadu, BJP hits back with banners hailing him|website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

* In 2020, he filed an online complaint with the [[Greater Chennai Police|Chennai City Police]] against [[Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi|VCK]] leader [[Thol. Thirumavalavan]] over remarks made on [[Manusmriti]], alleging promotion of enmity between religious groups and dissemination of false information. Based on his complaint, the police registered a [[First information report|FIR]] under relevant sections of the law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/manusmriti-row-vck-leader-thirumavalavan-booked-comment-136039|title=Manusmriti row: VCK leader Thirumavalavan booked for comment|first=T. N. M.|last=Staff|date=October 24, 2020|website=The News Minute}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

* [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/khushbu-sundar-named-bjp-tamil-nadu-vice-president/article69873880.ece Khushbu Sundar named BJP Tamil Nadu vice-president - The Hindu]

* [https://affidavit.eci.gov.in/ Candidate Affidavit - Election Commission of India]

*[https://www.myneta.info/LokSabha2024/candidate.php?candidate_id=1138 A. Asuvathaman Profile - MyNeta]

== External links ==
* [https://twitter.com/asuvathaman A. Ashvathaman] on X (formerly Twitter)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Allimuthu, Ashvathaman}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:Indian politicians]]
[[Category:1987 births]]

Ashvathaman Allimuthu - Revision history

MD. TARIQUL ISLAM at 02:27, 30 April 2026