Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr. S. Ramadoss has accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of being unwilling to grant the 10.5% internal reservation for the Vanniyar community, citing prejudice and hostility towards them.In a statement, Ramadoss criticized the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to extend the deadline for the State Backward Classes Commission to submit its report on internal reservation for the Vanniyar community by another year. The initial deadline expired on July 11, 2024.
Ramadoss pointed out that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had previously stated in the Legislative Assembly that internal reservation for Vanniyars could not be granted without caste-based population data. However, the Commission has now promised to submit a report within a year on this issue.
Ramadoss argued that the extension of the deadline is futile, as neither the Tamil Nadu government nor the central government has plans to conduct a caste census in the near future. He criticized the extension as a mere formality, claiming that both the government and the Commission are aware that it serves no real purpose.
He further alleged that the DMK, which has benefited from the support of the Vanniyar community in the past, is now refusing to grant internal reservation due to prejudice and hostility towards the community. Ramadoss warned that the PMK and the Vanniyar community are well aware of this perceived betrayal and will teach the DMK a lesson when the time comes.
Ramadoss concluded by asserting that the Tamil Nadu government and the Commission are staging a “drama” against the social justice interests of the Vanniyar community, and he called for the community to hold the government accountable for its actions.