Chennai, June 6:
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has reiterated the need for a caste-based survey in Tamil Nadu, stating that updated data is essential to safeguard the State’s 69% reservation policy and ensure equitable representation for all communities.
Speaking at an all-party and community leaders’ consultation meeting organised by PMK in T. Nagar, he said Tamil Nadu’s current reservation framework is still based on the 1931 caste census, arguing that such outdated data may not withstand judicial scrutiny.
The meeting saw participation from representatives of several political parties, including AIADMK, TVK, BJP, Congress, DMDK, Naam Tamilar Katchi, Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi and AMMK. PMK leaders said that DMK, VCK and CPI had extended support to the initiative despite being unable to attend.
Anbumani highlighted Tamil Nadu’s long history of social justice policies, noting that reservation was increased to 69% in 1990 and later placed under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution in 1994 for legal protection. However, he warned that the Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized the need for empirical data to justify reservations beyond the 50% cap.
He also cited examples from states like Bihar and Karnataka, where caste surveys have been used to assess socio-economic conditions and design welfare measures. According to him, a similar exercise in Tamil Nadu would help identify disparities and improve targeted development programmes.
He further stated that he had discussed the issue with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who reportedly reaffirmed the government’s commitment to social justice and fair representation as outlined in the party’s manifesto.
Anbumani stressed that the demand for caste enumeration is aimed at strengthening social justice rather than serving any single community, adding that accurate data is crucial for inclusive growth and effective policy-making.