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The political history of reservation for Vanniyars

Just before the Election Commission announced the date for the 2021 Assembly Elections, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a bill providing for 10.5% quota for the Vanniyar community, within the existing 20% quota for Most Backward Communities (MBC) and other communities. The bill also provides an internal quota of 7% for Denotified Communities (DC) and some of the MBCs have for specified communities listed in the MBC. Those MBCs not included in the above have been given 2.5% quota.

The bill introduced by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and passed unanimously in the House, will now make way for special reservations for the Vanniyar community in educational institutions, and appointments or positions in the state government services.

The DMK and its allies were not present in the Assembly as they boycotted the session altogether.

Chief Minister Palaniswami said that there would be separate reservations in appointments or posts in the state service and constant representation from the Vanniyar community in educational institutions. He also said that they are entitled to get the right and fair share of reservation benefits.

Welcoming this, Paatali Makkal Katchi leader Ramdas said that the first step of a 40-year dream had come true after a lot of struggle. Commenting on the struggles, Dr. Ramdas added, saying, “My 40-year-old struggle for social justice has been met with satisfactory initial success through this law. The struggles for social justice for the Vanniyar community have been nothing short of arduous. The Vanniyar Sangam started by me in 1980 had carried out a number of protests for the cause. In 1980, under my leadership, a massive rally was conducted in Karungalpalayam in Erode district. From 1981 to 1989, we had visited more than 30,000 settlements in Tamil Nadu and prepared people for the struggle for social justice. On March 15, 1984, hunger strike was conducted at the Marina Beach in Chennai. A massive rally from Island Grounds to Seerani Theatre followed by a public meeting at the Seerani theatre was conducted on August 25, 1985. One day road blockade was conducted on May 6, 1986 and a one day rail roko on December 19, 1986.  As a culmination of the struggle, a series of road blockades were held throughout Tamil Nadu from September 17, 1987 to September 23, 1987. Such is the historic struggle of the Vanniyars for social justice.”

In 1987, the then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) was in the USA for his treatment. At that time, widespread revolt of the Vanniyar community shook the northern districts of Tamil Nadu. Violent clashes led to the arrest of 18,000 protesters. As police tried to control the mob, 11 people were killed in a shooting in the South Arcot district.

Twice before 1987, the Vanniyars had agitated for more reservations. Their demands included a 20 percent reservation in education and employment in Tamil Nadu and a 2 percent reservation in central government services.

The uprising disrupted normal life for a whole week in most of the Vanniyar strongholds in the northern districts of the state. In South Arcot, stones and trees were fell as roadblocks and in some places, pits were dug on the highways. As a result, vehicular traffic south of the Madras ground was halted.

Violent clashes also erupted between the Vanniyars and DMK cadres. Thousands of partygoers returned to their home southern districts after attending the inauguration of the Anna Arivalayam. In Valavanur, lorries and buses carrying DMK protesters were stopped, poured with kerosene, and set on fire by miscreants. The police eventually had to provide an armed guard to the heavy vehicle force.

Although the MGR government had increased the quota for backward classes from 31 percent to 50 percent, the Vanniyars started getting  less share of their pie, as a large number of sub-categories were added to the list of backward classes for political reasons. The DMK added 42 communities while MGR had added another 39 communities when they were in power. The Vanniyar community, therefore, demanded a separate reservation for their benefit like in the case of Karnataka.

MGR, who had returned from the United States, tried to fix the problem but passed away before a smooth end could be reached. After this, Chief Minister Karunanidhi instead of resolving the issue of Vanniyar reservation directly, introduced 20 per cent reservation to 108 communities, including Vanniyars, under a new category: ‘Most Backward Class and Denotified Communities’ by dividing the Backward Class quota. Dr. Ramadoss had said that by doing so Karunanidhi betrayed the Vanniyar community and as a result of which the Vanniyars had to fight for another 32 years.

It is noteworthy that DMK leader Stalin promised in 2019 that if they came to power in 2021, a separate quota would be given to the Vanniyars, and Dr. Ramadoss condemned the DMK for not fulfilling its earlier promises.

(With inputs from Kathir News)

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