“We are of the considered opinion the resolution passed in the TN Assembly is with the eye on forthcoming 2024 Parliamentary elections,” Vanathi Srinivasan said.
Coimbatore: Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan has alleged that the Chief minister's resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly urging the Centre to bring amendments to the Constitution to provide reservation benefits to the Scheduled Castes who have converted to Christianity is an act of "deceiving" the Scheduled Castes.
Protesting against the resolution, the BJP legislators staged a walkout from the TN Assembly after which the resolution was passed today.
Speaking to reporters, BJP legislator Vanathi Srinivasan said, "On behalf of the BJP, we have put forward some suggestions to the Government on urging the Central government to give the benefits for converted scheduled castes, which has already been enjoyed by the Scheduled castes in the Constitution”.
“The Modi-led government at the Centre had set up a three-member judicial commission in 2022 under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court judge K.G. Balakrishnan to look into the government's reservation concessions for non-Hindu Scheduled Castes,” Vanathi said and added. “ A writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court and the hearing was held even last week. The next hearing has been now postponed to July”.
Wondering as to why the TN State government has brought up this resolution on a matter which is within the purview of the Supreme Court, Vanathi Srinivasan said “We questioned Chief Minister Stalin whether the resolution was meant to indirectly say that the atrocities of untouchability continue to take place among the Scheduled Castes even if they converted to Christianity or Islam”.
“The DMK government, which claims to be a Government adhering to social justice has not properly addressed the Vengaivayal issue, nor enacted any special bill to reclaim Panchami lands. It is also keeping silent to prevent honour killings taking place in Tamil Nadu every week” the BJP leader alleged.
“We are of the considered opinion the resolution passed in the assembly is with the eye on forthcoming 2024 Parliamentary elections,” Vanathi Srinivasan said.
“While noting that the scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu do not have a common crematorium, she said the scheduled castes are being deceived them for political reasons by the ruling DMK” she noted.