PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss is scheduled to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to advocate for a caste-based census in the state. The PMK emphasizes that this move is crucial to protect Tamil Nadu’s 69% reservation policy. An all-party and community leaders’ conference held by the PMK in Chennai recently urged the state government to conduct a caste census under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
The conference labeled this effort a “Social Justice Census” with the aim of gathering updated caste-wise demographic data. Anbumani will present the resolutions from the conference to the Chief Minister and request prompt action from the government. The PMK argues that having updated caste data is vital to legally and constitutionally support Tamil Nadu’s reservation framework.
Tamil Nadu boasts one of the highest reservation quotas in India, offering 69% reservation to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes. This reservation policy was safeguarded through special legislation in 1993 and later included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution via the 76th Constitutional Amendment. However, the reservation cap at 50% set by the Supreme Court’s Indra Sawhney judgment has intermittently raised concerns.
Advocates for a caste census believe that updated population statistics would provide factual support for the state’s reservation system and help shield it from potential legal disputes. The call for a caste census has gained momentum in various states, with political parties increasingly endorsing caste-based enumeration to shape welfare and affirmative action policies.
This initiative comes at a critical time for the PMK, which is experiencing internal leadership conflicts between party founder Dr. S. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss. Recent public disagreements over organizational control and the party’s future direction have highlighted divisions within the Vanniyar-based party. Observers suggest that Anbumani’s focus on reservation and social justice matters aims to solidify the PMK’s traditional support base while asserting his leadership amidst ongoing family and organizational tensions.
The outcome of Anbumani’s meeting with Chief Minister Vijay is anticipated with interest due to the reservation issue’s significance in Tamil Nadu’s political arena.
