Why is PMK Urging Cadre to Advocate for a Caste Census on Independence Day?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dr Anbumani Ramadoss is advocating for a caste census during grama sabha meetings.
- Resolutions aim to ensure equitable reservation benefits.
- The caste census is crucial for social justice in Tamil Nadu.
- Grama sabha meetings serve as platforms for public demands.
- The PMK views accurate caste data as essential for targeted welfare schemes.
Chennai, Aug 13 (NationPress) PMK President Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has appealed to party members and the public to ensure that resolutions advocating for a caste-based population census are adopted during the grama sabha meetings taking place across Tamil Nadu on Independence Day.
In his statement, Dr Anbumani emphasized that these resolutions should explicitly call for the state government to carry out a thorough caste census.
He pointed out that such an undertaking is critical to guarantee that reservation benefits are allocated in accordance with the population and socio-economic disadvantages of various communities.
This initiative is also crucial for upholding social justice, especially as Tamil Nadu's 69 percent reservation policy faces legal scrutiny in the Supreme Court.
Dr Anbumani remarked, “Only a caste-based enumeration can yield accurate and up-to-date information on the demographic and socio-economic realities of different communities.” He added, “Without this, the distribution of reservation benefits will rely on outdated assumptions, which are neither equitable nor sustainable.”
The PMK leader indicated that grama sabha forums, which are constitutionally required to address local governance matters, also function as platforms for voicing public demands regarding broader social policies.
He urged the party’s district and panchayat-level members to coordinate effectively to ensure that the caste census resolution is introduced and approved in as many villages as possible on Independence Day.
Dr Anbumani also challenged the ruling DMK to take action on the resolutions if they are passed statewide.
“If the DMK genuinely values democracy, it must honor the rights of grama sabhas and act on the decisions made during these meetings,” he stated, adding that neglecting such collective expressions of public opinion undermines democratic processes at the grassroots.
The PMK, which has persistently advocated for a caste-based census, considers this exercise as fundamental to ensuring fair reservation and effective policy development.
The party contends that precise caste data would facilitate targeted welfare initiatives and assist in addressing disparities more successfully.
As grama sabha meetings align with the Independence Day celebrations, the PMK's advocacy is poised to escalate the discourse surrounding the necessity for a caste census in Tamil Nadu—an issue that has been both politically sensitive and socially significant for decades.