Most political parties in Tamil Nadu advocate social justice and equality, but founder of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Thol. Thirumavalavan, has recently made a comment that it would be highly unlikely for a Dalit to become the Chief Minister of India; this call for a serious introspection.
Last week Mr. Thirumavalavan had observed that except in few such exceptional cases such as the earlier rise of Mayawati and her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh, it would not be easy for any political party or leader to succeed politically by propagating Ambedkarite thoughts within India.
A few days later, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss said his party would make a member of the Scheduled Castes (SC) the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. If it receives support from the community. This has reignited a political debate over the political representation of Dalits in ‘progressive’ Tamil Nadu.
Subsequently, PMK founder S. Ramadoss said he does not agree with the assertion that a Dalit can never become a Chief Minister and there is no ‘magic’ needed to achieve it.
“While Vanniyar community is the single largest group in Tamil Nadu Schedule Caste community comprises largest number of castes. If they come together they may grab power but on other side nobody can form government without these two communities support each other. There were no CMs from either of these groupings until now,” he demanded to know.
Mr. Ramadoss pointed out that almost 30 years ago, his party had said it would make a Dalit the Chief Minister of the State.
“In 2016 while PMK contested alone we announced two deputy CMs. Where one was supposed to be dalit and another from south district. I joined hands with the former Congress leader L. Elayaperumal, P.V. Kariamal, Sakthidasan M.A., Dr. Seppan, Vai.Balasundaram, Poovai Moorthy and Thirumavalavan to elect a Chief Minister from the SC community but we failed in our endeavor as that’s not the people… it is those. Who have been in power for long and conspires against us. Neither Vanniyar nor SC has ever become CM. That is why,” he noted.
The PMK leader also blamed the Dravidian parties for not giving plum ministries to Dalits in the State cabinet.
PMK spokesperson K. Balu, meanwhile, said the party has a history of empowering the SCs.
“Dravidian parties are careful to ensure that this doesn’t happen. The SC community shouldn’t miss this opportunity. It is significant that the PMK, which has projected Dr Anbumani as the CM candidate, is making this statement,” he said.
However, VCK general secretary D Ravikumar felt this stance is a result of dwindling fortunes of PMK over successive elections.
“I welcome Dr Anbumani’s statement because I believe it would help in reducing the hate against Dalits on the ground that is caused by PMK’s hate campaign but instead. We need political agenda not communal one which constructs others as ‘Other’,” he stated.
There are several temples in Villupuram district under the control of Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Where Dalits are denied entry because of issues created by the local Vanniyar community, which the PMK claims to represent.
“The PMK should make sure that Dalits can freely enter these HR and CE controlled temples first. There is too much caste based discrimination in Cuddalore district. These issues must be address by the PMK initially to develop confidence among people. We should bring back societal cohesion instead of continuing hatred. A political party cannot expect electoral support without any effort.” he said.
