No outsiders attended T.N. Cabinet meetings, says Social Justice Minister

Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu stated that no outsiders had participated in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet meetings.

Amid allegations that John Arokiasamy and Vishnu Reddy attended the first Cabinet meeting of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government, Mr. Vanni Arasu, in an exclusive interview with The Hindu, clarified that no such thing happened. “I was present at that Cabinet meeting. Officials, including the Chief Secretary, came in, read out only the agenda content for the meeting, and left. After that, only the Ministers were present. In both Cabinet meetings held so far, only the Ministers were seated. Neither John Arokiasamy nor Vishnu Reddy was in that meeting,” he said.

Renaming the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department as the Social Justice Department at the time of his swearing-in had sparked a controversy, with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) general secretary D. Ravikumar expressing his opposition. However, Mr. Vanni Arasu stated that the name change was announced only on the day he took office, and whatever decision his party leader took on the matter would be final.

“In the Government of India, there is a Ministry of Social Justice, which includes departments for Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, transpersons, and persons with disabilities. This name change might have been carried out with a similar long-term vision. Therefore, I accepted it and began my work. However, there are still differing views regarding this name change,” he said.

Addressing the continuing incidents of honour killings in Tamil Nadu and the demand for a dedicated law to prevent them, the Minister said a decision would be made only after the K.N. Basha Commission’s report was submitted.

“During the previous regime, a committee was formed under the leadership of retired Justice K.N. Basha with regard to this. Members of the committee have requested a nine-month extension. Their request has been conveyed to the Chief Minister. Once the committee’s report is submitted, a swift decision will be taken,” he said. Regarding the ongoing atrocities against Dalits across Tamil Nadu, Mr. Vanni Arasu emphasised that society bears a collective responsibility. “Everyone—including the government and social movements—shares a collective responsibility in this. Similarly, the police must be guided by the law and not by caste. If police officials simply act on the basis of the law, three-fourths of the problems will be resolved right there,” he remarked.

When asked about members within the VCK openly criticising the TVK-led government, he responded: “I do not let political criticism or remarks bother me. Our party leader told me that he will address these matters, and I should not comment on them. I will only answer questions regarding this government’s functioning.”