Tamil over the main Minister of MK Stalin. File | Photo Credit: PTI
Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin said on Wednesday that the “sudden move” of the Union’s government led by BJP to carry out the caste census “Reeks of Political Expedience” because he came at a time when discourse dominated social justice.
“The timing is not a coincidence. The same prime minister who once accused opposition parties of dividing people into castes, has now raised the demand that he repeatedly malicious,” he said in a post on social media.
The main minister said after “futile attempts” to refuse and delay the much needed caste census, the government of the Union has finally announced that it will be carried out along with the upcoming general census. “But the key questions remain unanswered – when the people’s census will begin and when it will end,” he said.
“Necessary, not optional”
The main minister said that the caste census is necessary, not optional, for creating objective policy, targeted well -being and social justice. “You can’t fix injustice without first recognizing its scale,” he said.
Stalin said that this announcement was a hard -earned victory for the government of Tamil Nadu and David Munnetr Kazhagam (DMK). “We (DMK) were the first to adopt a resolution in the legislative assembly, demanded a caste census. We promoted this thing on every forum. We repeated this demand at each meeting with the Prime Minister and several letters that constantly urged the Union government to take responsibility,” he said.
Mr. Stalin also pointed out that while others demanded caste surveys at state level, DMK stood firmly, that the census was the subject of trade unions. “Only the Union government can and should have legally binding castes according to the Census Act. Our booth is now justified. Another triumph for DMK and the Indian block in our demanding journey, driven by the ideals of the bird of prey, for social justice,” he said.
EPS welcomes movement
The Secretary General Aiadmk Edapadi K. Palaniswami welcomed the decision of the Union government on Wednesday to make a census together with the general census. “I welcome the decision of the Central Government to make a caste census after almost 93 years,” Mr. Palaniswami said in a post on social media, congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modim.
Meanwhile, he accused the DMK regime of eliminating the steps of the previous government of AIADMK to organize a caste survey in the state.
Founder Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) S. Ramadoss praised the Prime Minister on Wednesday for a decision on the caste census and stressed that it would ensure social justice in the country. The census should begin as soon as possible, said Dr. Ramadoss in his statement and added that PMK has been receiving various initiatives since 1998 to make it possible.
The President of Congress Tamil Nadu (TNCC) K. Selvaterunthagai said that the center decided to perform a caste census due to the permanent pressure existing the opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi. “This is a victory for Rahula Gandhi,” he said.
In the paper on X, Minister of Trade Union for Information and Broadcasting, L. Murugan stated that the announcement of the center was “highly commendable”.
This step was also welcomed by the President of BJP Nainar Nagenthran and Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) GK Vasesan.
Published – May 1 2025 11:16
