High Exam Priority
VCK Councillors Walk Out Over B.R. Ambedkar Portrait Placement in Chennai Corporation
25 September 2026
4 min read
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) councillors staged a walkout during the Greater Chennai Corporation council meeting, protesting the shifting of B.R. Ambedkar's portrait in the council hall. The administration defended the placement, stating that the portrait is appropriately positioned alongside other prominent leaders.
Key Highlights
- VCK councillors G. Gopinath and Shanthi staged a walkout from the Greater Chennai Corporation council meeting over the relocation of B.R. Ambedkar's portrait.
- Mayor R. Priya clarified that the portrait was installed after the DMK came to power and that Ambedkar's photograph is the first seen upon entering the Ripon Buildings.
- Administration urged councillors to adhere to procedural guidelines rather than politicize the arrangement of leaders' portraits.
- MDMK councillor P. Subramani separately demanded the installation of a portrait of Dravidar Kazhagam founder Periyar E.V. Ramasamy in the council hall.
Exam Quick Facts
Nodal Ministry / Dept
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (Central) / Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply (State)
Key Bodies
Greater Chennai Corporation, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)
Constitutional & Legal Context
The Greater Chennai Corporation functions under the provisions of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which grants constitutional status to urban local bodies.
Static GK Connection
Ripon Building serves as the seat of the Greater Chennai Corporation and is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, completed in 1913 during the British Raj.