PMK holds multi party meeting demanding caste survey

Chennai: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the need for conducting caste survey in Tamil Nadu.

Anbumani who convened a multi party meeting, said that the survey was not about welfare of any caste, but concerned the development of the state. BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, former AIADMK minister Agri Krishnamurthy, Tamila Vazhvurimai Katchi founder Velmurugan were among the leaders who participated in the meeting.

Anbumani said Tamil Nadu needed a caste based survey to generate updated socio-economic data and to defend the 69% reservation policy before the courts. He said states such like Bihar and Karnataka have already completed caste surveys, while Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha are conducting similar exercises. Anbumani said Karnataka used survey findings to enhance reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15% to 17%.

Anbumani said that social justice means identifying and assisting those who have been left behind and that a caste survey would reveal disparities within communities and sub-groups.

Anbumani said he urged chief minister Vijay to conduct a caste survey when he visited his house. Vijay responded that TVK was committed to ensure representation for all communities on the basis of social justice.

Anbumani said Tamil Nadu govt currently lacks detailed data on many communities, including their educational levels, economic conditions, housing status and social advancement.

Only a comprehensive caste-based survey could provide the information needed to protect the 69% reservation policy legally, he said.