On the last day of the first part of the 2021 budget session of the Parliament, a constitutional amendment bill grouping seven sub castes into one as “Devendrakula Vellalar” was introduced in the Lok Sabha. It was the long pending demand of the party “Puthiya Tamizhagam” led by Dr. Krishnaswamy and others. They also demand they should be taken out of the Scheduled Caste list.
It is not clear whether the new bill addresses this demand. It is really an irony when many cases, socially and politically powerful, demand and agitate to be included in the Backward/Most backward/ SC/ST list, these parties demand to be taken out of SC list.
The decision to call all of them Devendrakula Velalar was more than a change of name, PM Modi contended. “It is about justice, dignity and opportunity. We all have lots to learn from the culture of the Devendrakula community. They celebrate harmony, friendship and brotherhood. Theirs was a civilisational movement. It shows their self-confidence and self-pride.”
The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), led by Dr. Ramadass, in 1980s fought to be included in the most backward category, now, during the elections, taken to streets for quota within quota for Vanniars. There are more caste-based parties in TN clamouring for such recognition.
Reservation does not change the status of any group/caste. It is education and entrepreneurial urge that gives them social status. The Nadar community is the one that strongly believes this. This community, after Independence, has made tremendous effort and almost controls the trade in the state. There are several caste/social groups in TN and the country that are helping not only themselves, but the society /nation also.
The state/union govts should listen to just demands that will help shape the future of the nation.
