Anbumani calls for intensified social justice movement

Chennai: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday called for intensifying the social justice movement to achieve 100 per cent caste-based reservation among Tamil Nadu-based people.

To mark 99 years since the landmark Communal G.O. was issued in the Madras Presidency, he urged the state government to quickly implement a social justice audit to ensure fair representation for all communities.

Terming November 4 a golden day in Tamil Nadu’s social justice history, Anbumani recalled that on this day 99 years ago, the then Madras Presidency issued a G.O., the third communal reservation order—implementing 100 per cent communal representation.

The PMK leader noted that the 100 per cent reservation system, which was extended to Central Government offices in the Madras Presidency in 1935, remained operational until the Madras High Court judgment in the Shenbagam Dorairajan case in 1950.

Following the first amendment to the Constitution of India in 1951, a revised system commenced with 41 per cent total reservation (25 per cent for Backward Classes and 16 per cent for Scheduled Castes), which has since risen to 69 per cent. “However, this remains incomplete,” he stressed.

Highlighting that complete social justice can only be realised when every community receives reservation proportionate to its population, Anbumani welcomed the announcement by the government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to conduct a social justice audit and establish a dedicated commission following PMK’s demand.

He urged the state administration to execute the subsequent steps without delay.

On the commencement of the centenary celebrations of the communal G.O., the former Union minister called upon citizens to honour all martyrs and contributors to the movement while taking a solemn resolve “to sharpen the struggle for total, caste-proportionate representation”.

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The Hans India