The DMK, Tamil Nadu’s principal Opposition party, came out on Tuesday against the decision of the Narendra Modi-led Union Government to provide 10 per cent quota in education and jobs to the economically weaker sections of the society.
DMK president M K Stalin, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, demanded the Tamil Nadu House to pass a resolution condemning the move. “The BJP is playing a dangerous game with the backward classes and others with the decision to set apart 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections. This is a move which has been brought in with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in mind,” said Stalin. He reminded the House that such moves were struck down by the Supreme Court in the past.
“The Supreme Court has stated many times in the past that reservation was meant for only people belonging to the socially and educationally backward classes and not to economically backward sections. Economical backwardness is against the Constitution,” said the DMK chief.
Stalin also claimed that it was his father late M Karunanidhi, who played a major role in implementing the Mandal Commission Report which made 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Communities in central government jobs.
But Tamil Nadu Minister for administrative reforms D Jayakumar replied that it was a policy decision of the Union Government and nothing could be done at this stage . “We have to wait till the fine print is sent to the State Governnments by the Centre. Then only we will be able to make any comments on the proposed move,” said Jayakumar.
Interestingly, Tamil Nadu has 69 per cent reservation policy though the national limit is 50 per cent. The 10 per cent quota, if implemented in Tamil Nadu will hike the reservation quota to 79 per cent in the State leaving just 21 per cent for the general category.
Except for Brahmins, and some of the few sub-sects in the Hindu religion, all communities in the State have been incorporated as backward communities and other backward communities because of the political influence wielded by the community leaders.