News Tamil Nadu

TN Speaker Appavu Expunges BJP MLA Vanathi’s Remarks On Untouchability, Repeatedly Interrupts Her Speech

April 20, 2023
The Commune

The DMK Government in Tamil Nadu headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly on 20 April 2023 urging the Central Government to bring amendments in the laws to give reservation to the Adi Dravidians who have converted to Christianity

Vanathi Srinivasan while addressing the assembly on the resolution, said, “In 2022, a committee led by retired justice KG Balakrishnan was formed to investigate the possibility of providing reservations to people who converted to other religions from Hinduism. This DMK resolution violates the constitution, and the case is currently in court. Even in the last week, writs were filed, and their hearings were postponed until July.”

MLA Vanathi Srinivasan further added, “This DMK government resolution implies that Scheduled Caste people face untouchability even after converting to Christianity or Islam. CM MK Stalin should explain if he is accepting this fact. Many Hindus while converting to Christianity and Islam complain about untouchability in Hinduism. Granting them reservation while converting implies that there is untouchability in Christianity and Islam.”

Speaker Appavu, however, interrupted Vanathi Srinivasan and stated, “This resolution has nothing to do with untouchability. It only gives reservation to Scheduled Caste people who convert to Christianity. There is no reason to attribute motive to CM MK Stalin’s resolution.”

Appavu added, “There is no connection between this resolution and the cases currently pending in court. Furthermore, the court has no authority over state assembly. CM MK Stalin has complete authority to bring a resolution in support of a community. As a result, I ask that you limit your comments to whether you agree with the resolution or have difference of opinion with it.”

MLA Vanathi continued, “I’m expressing my thoughts on the resolution. In the past, courts have overturned laws passed by state legislatures and Parliament.” MLA Vanathi Srinivasan interrupted again by Speaker Appavu.

Appavu said, “No case is currently pending in court as this resolution was only recently passed. This resolution is only urging Central governement to provide reservations to converted Christians.”

MLA Vanathi Srinivasan further questioned if the CM MK Stalin is implying through the resolution that people face untouchability even after converting to Christianity.

Appavu interrupted Vanathi Srinivasan again, saying that her remarks about untouchability would be expunged from the assembly.

MLA Vanathi Srinivasan staged a walk out after her remarks were expunged. She told the press outside the assembly, “The Dravida model government, which claims to work for the development of oppressed people but has done nothing about the Vengaivayal issue, the Panchami land issue, or the law to prevent honour killing, has introduced this resolution for political reasons.”

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