Vaniyars Demand Social & Economic Justice

The Vanniyar, also known as the "Vanniya", formerly known as the Palli, are a community found in the northern part of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to several researches, it is evident that the class division in the state was divided between the Brahmins and the Untouchables. Kshatriyas and Vaishyas were generally non-existent. Vaniyars belong to the Untouchables. 

According to the reports, Vaniyars comprise of almost 25 percent of the total population in the state. They have been a prevalent caste in the northernmost areas of the state which include districts of Chingelput, North Arcot, South Arcot and Salem. The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is a political party that was formed by S. Ramadoss from the

Vanniyar Sangam, an association of the Vaniyar community. It has been known on occasion for its violent protests against Dalits and draws its support base from Vanniyars.

The Vanniyars who previously were of the Backward Class category, were now designated as a Most Backward Caste after successful agitations by them in the 1980s entitling them to 20% reservations. The reason for the agitation and re-classification was to avail more government benefits for the community. In 2020, the PMK launched an agitation to obtain 20% reservation solely for Vanniyars the forced the Tamil Nadu government to institute a caste census.

In the most recent light of events, DMK President Stalin said that the  PMK founder S. Ramadoss is hiding the benefits given by the erstwhile DMK government to the Vanniyars and propagating lies for his personal gain. Speaking at an event through video-conference to induct workers from various parties into the DMK in Cuddalore district, he said this was the reason over 600 PMK were joining the DMK.

“It is the DMK that has always stood for social justice. It was the DMK government that had appointed a DGP from the MBC for the first time, a member from the MBC to the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, and a Vanniyar as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras,” Stalin stated. 

He further went on to add “The more Dr. Ramadoss criticises the DMK, more PMK workers will quit that party and join the DMK.” he said. He also accused the AIADMK government, led by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, of being corrupt.

The issue seems to be trending on the social media platforms since long and accusations along with counter-accusations are often witnessed. Here a user seems to be talking about the divisions between the upper and the lower castes of the state:

Another series of tweets highlight the prevelant caste issue and the injustices inflicted on them:

In his speech while releasing his book last year, In his speech during therelease of his book ‘Sukka Milaga…Samooga Needhi’, via videoconferencing, Dr Ramadoss asked how long can PMK keep making the same demand again and again. "“The people have to effect a change. Only if they have a change in heart, the life of Vanniyars will change. All demands in education, society and economic needs can be satisfied,” he stated.

The PMK along with and its parent body Vanniyar Sangam wil be leading protests for exclusive reservation for Vanniyars in State government jobs and higher education in front of 38 Collectorates in the State on Friday 29th January, 2021.

They have planned to rally to the Collectorate for “social justice” with their respective party flags with the sole aim of quota demand for Vanniyars. The quota demand is not to undercut the reservation for OBCs, SCs or STs or to undercut the OCs but t is to demand apportioning of a percentage as quota for Vanniyars within the MBC quota of 20%.

The Indian caste system has always been at the centre-stage of controversies with notions of economic and social justice at the forefront. It is high time that the demands of the people are met to ensure the guiding words of the Preamble of our constitution.

To keep yourselves updated with the latest political trends like these, visit Checkbrand.
 

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