On May 13, DMK MPs Dayanidhi Maran, TR Baalu along with Tamizhachi Thangapandian and Kalanidhi Veerasamy had met Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam to submit the petitions received under DMK’s propaganda banner “Ondrinaivom Vaa”. Speaking to reporters after meeting Dayanidhi Maran said “Engalai moondram thara makkal pol nadathinaargal. Naangal enna thaazhthapatta aatkala?”(They treated us like third-class people. What are we? Depressed class people?)”
Taking cognisance of the statements made by Dayanidhi Maran, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has sent a letter to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police for Chennai to inquire into the matter. The three offices have been asked to report on the action taken within 7 days of receiving the notice.
Earlier in February, the NCSC had sent a letter to the Chief Secretary to inquire into the derogatory comments made by RS Bharathi about Dalits. He had said that the appointment of Dalits as High Court judges in Tamil Nadu was “alms” given by the Dravidian parties.