TVK ally and VCK Minister in TN government Vanni Arasu has said that the appointment of eight ministers from Scheduled Castes would not, by itself, eliminate caste discrimination, asserting that sustained struggle was necessary to dismantle the caste system, as reported in Minnambalam.
He also called for eradicating Sanathana Dharma and uprooting Hindutva.
He made the remarks after paying tribute to Akilan, a student who allegedly died by suicide following caste-based harassment in Coimbatore. Akilan’s parents received his body and performed his last rites on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters during the funeral procession, Vanniyarasu said he had paid his respects to Akilan as directed by the Chief Minister. He also said that the Backward Classes Welfare Minister had taken the necessary steps under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Vanniyarasu said caste discrimination continued to persist in schools and called for measures to eliminate it. Referring to the Justice Chandru Committee report, he said the government needed to work towards removing caste names from schools.
CB-CID Probe Ordered Into Akilan’s Death
The minister said a CB-CID investigation had been ordered into Akilan’s death and asserted that those responsible would be brought to justice, regardless of their caste background.
“Even if they have a powerful caste background, they will be identified in the CB-CID investigation and brought before the law,” he said.
Vanniyarasu added that he had been in touch with activists and police officials since the first day of the protests. He said he had also urged the authorities concerned in Chennai to arrest those responsible.
He said further action would follow the investigation, adding that all doubts and concerns needed to be addressed through a thorough inquiry.
The minister also said that he would have joined the protests had he not been a minister, adding that he was working from within the government to secure justice. He said the protests had continued for seven days and that he had remained involved throughout.
‘Caste Discrimination Must Be Eradicated’
Emphasising the need to ensure the safety of students, Vanniyarasu said protection must be guaranteed across schools and college campuses.
He rejected the idea that representation in the Cabinet alone could bring social change.
“Just because eight of us have become ministers, we do not believe that everything has changed. Believing that everything will change because eight people have become ministers is superstition,” he said.
Describing caste as a deeply entrenched social structure, he said the fight against caste discrimination and what he called the Sanatana social order would have to continue until caste-based discrimination was eradicated.
“There is a need to uproot caste impurities and Hindutva. The struggle for social liberation must continue until caste discrimination is eliminated,” he said.
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