People's Democracy

Separate quota for Arundhathiyars

A victory for CPI(M) led struggle

Ganesh

THE commission that was formed on March 25, 2008 to study the modus operandi for providing reservation for Arundhathiyars within the reservation for Scheduled Castes has submitted its recommendations to Tamilnadu government on November 22, 2008.

The commission led by M S Janardhanam has recommended that three percent reservation may be given to the Arundhathiyar community. The report was handed over to the chief minister M Karunanidhi, who in turn said the recommedations will be implemented without any delay after the consultations with the ministers. He, however, said that the recommendations would be implemented immediately, as the basic purpose and job of his government was to uplift the oppressed.

The panel had thoroughly considered many aspects and recommended that three per cent out of the 18 per cent reservation for the SCs could be given to the Arundathiyar community that included the sub-sects Chakkiliar, Madhari, Adi Andhrar, Pagadai, Madiga and Thotti. The state cabinet will be meeting on November 27 to discuss the matter and a decision is likely to be taken on its implementation.

This is a victory of the CPI(M) led struggle seeking separate reservation for the community. The constitution of the commission itself was made possible because of the huge rally organised in Chennai in which 20 thousand people had participated. They marched towards the state secretariat. The CPI(M) leaders along with other Arundhathiyar orgainsations' leaders met the chief minister Karunanidhi and presented their demands. He had agreed to the demands and assured that he would do the needful. Following this, the commission was set up. Now the recommendations are submitted.

The state committee of the Party welcomed the submission of the report, though some sub-sects are included in the recommendations. The Party will take a decision on this after the complete details of the recommendations are known. To achieve the complete success, the Arundhathiyar community and the organisations should work unitedly, the state committee said.

Addressing the presspersons, N Varadarjan, state secretary of CPI(M) said the Party welcomes the announcement of chief minister that legal steps are being taken to implement the recommendations. This is a victory for the CPI(M) and Tamilnadu Untouchability Eradication Front, an umbrella unit of 45 organisations that represents 30 lakh people.
Apart from the huge rally in which thousands of people enthusiastically participated, statewide dharnas were organised at 100 centres. District level conventions were organised in seven districts on this issue.