Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK), literally meaning Hindu People's Party, also pronounced as Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK), is a right-wing, Hindu nationalist party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The organisation was set up by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a front for its political activities in Tamil Nadu. Since its formation served as the platform for RSS and its subsidiaries known as the Sangh Parivar. Formation Hindu Munnani, the parent organization of Hindu Makkal Katchi was set up by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a front for its political and communal activities in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu was free from the political influence of RSS, which was trying to influence the state since the early 1980s. Hindu Munnani org was founded in 1980 by Rama Gopalan, a member of R.S.S. and since its formation served as the platform for RSS and its subsidiaries known as the Sangh Parivar. The organisation promoted a Hindu communal identity and used it as a political mobilisation strategy. In the early 1990s, the AIADMK Jayalalitha government (1991-1996) tilted towards Hindutva,in reaction to the vote-bank politics of DMK. Jayalalitha-led government supported the activities of Hindu Munnani in organizing Vinayaka Chathurthi processions in major cities of Tamil Nadu. The state government's support of Rama Gopalan's activity made him a follower of Jayalalitha. Due to this proximity, a faction of Hindu Munnani broke away and found another group named Hindu Makkal Katchi under the leadership of S.V. Sridhar in 1993. The militants of the two groups used vituperative and abusive language against the Muslims. The provocative speeches against Islam and Prophet Muhammad polarized the social atmosphere of the region. Their anti-Muslim speeches and activities led to formation of Muslim group Al Umma. The activities of RSS, Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Katchi continued uninterrupted under Jayalalitha. The BJP alliance with AIADMK led to further spread of RSS ideology in Tamil Nadu. These organisations used religious festivals to combine their strength and caused riots. Activities Due to various extremist actions the party got repeatedly in conflict with the law. Its leader Arjun Sampath was arrested in 1997 on an attempted murder charge. Hindu Makkal Katchi staged demonstrations on 29 October 2017 in front of theatres across Tamil Nadu in protest against freedom of speech i.e. 'objectionable sentences' about Goods and Services Tax in actor Vijay's 'Mersal'. HMK leader Arjun Sampath led a demonstration in front of a theatre