PMK leader Anbumani on Sunday extended invitation to all the political parties in Tamil Nadu, barring the ruling DMK, to participate in a protest on December 17 to protest against the state government for not conducting a caste census/survey despite other states coming forward to do it.
In identical letters addressed to leaders, he claimed a caste-based survey/census is akin to diagnosis of an illness being the first step toward curing a sick person.
“The caste-based population survey is the X-ray needed to understand the true condition of society. Further, the 69% reservation policy in Tamil Nadu has faced serious threats for the past 15 years. In 1994, some individuals filed a case in the Supreme Court challenging this 69% reservation. In its judgment dated July 13, 2010, the then Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia-led bench had directed the government to conduct a caste-based census within a year to determine the proportion of reservation,” he said. The case could come up for hearing at any time, which could result in the Supreme Court striking down the 69% reservation due to lack of a survey, he feared.
He reiterated his stand that there is no difficulty in conducting a caste survey. “Only the caste census can be done by the Union Government, but the caste survey can be done by state governments. Under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, state governments have full authority to conduct a caste-based population survey,” he said.
Meanwhile, PMK spokesperson K. Balu said it was strange to see the celebratory tone taken by the supporters of PMK founder S. Ramadoss after the Delhi High Court gave an order that the competing factions of the PMK should approach the Civil court for resolution.
Mr. Balu told journalists in Chennai that the judgment says internal party disputes must be resolved only through a civil court. “Paragraph 34 (which should be read with para 33) mentions that Ramadoss’ faction had approached the Madras High Court, and that the court directed them to go to a civil court. The Delhi HC has accepted the Madras HC’s position. The verdict also includes the Election Commission’s submissions on how to handle unregistered/unapproved party claims. There is not a single line in the judgment saying that PMK’s mango symbol does not belong to the party,” he argued.
He accused PMK former president G.K. Mani of being hand in glove with the DMK and claimed he was working towards breaking the party.
Published – December 07, 2025 09:56 pm IST
