M.K. Stalin speaks in the Assembly. File
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced in the State Assembly on Friday (October 17, 2025) that a Commission, headed by retired Madras High Court judge Justice K.N. Basha, will be constituted to hold widespread consultations and submit recommendations to the government on enacting legislation to prevent and address caste-based hate crimes and killings in the name of ‘honour’.
Mr. Stalin said the Commission will comprise legal experts, progressive thinkers, and eminent sociologists. “The Commission will engage with political organisations, legal experts, social activists, and victims to seek suggestions and provide recommendations. Based on these, the State government will look into enacting a law to prevent caste- and honour-based hate crimes,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the propaganda surrounding social reforms and punishments for crimes is akin to “a sword and a shield.” “It is important to put a full stop to all forms of dominant mentality. It is our collective responsibility to build a movement that challenges such a mindset and promotes equality, self-respect, and kindness towards humanity,” he said. Mr. Stalin pointed out that the State government has enabled people of all castes to become temple priests and has ensured that an oath for social justice and equality is taken every year on the birth anniversaries of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy.
“In the State Assembly, on April 29, 2025, I had announced that the word ‘colony’, which has become a term symbolising untouchability and oppression, will be removed. In a move towards removing caste signifiers in schools and college hostels, we renamed it ‘social justice’ hostels. Recently, when I met the Prime Minister [Narendra Modi], I placed an important request before him that… the caste names in Scheduled Caste list that presently end in ‘n’ be replaced with ‘r’, just so that the communities may receive the respect they deserve,” he said.
Mr Stalin added that a few recent incidents in our country have deeply “pained us.” “They make us question: Did our leaders struggle and sacrifice for this? Is this what we are fighting against? The world is advancing in knowledge — but what prevents compassion from becoming widespread? That question torments all who believe in reform. When Tamil society, which has gained worldwide respect for its intellect, and fights among itself, how can that be justified? A civilised society cannot accept killing for any reason. Not just killing — even hatred, humiliation, or violence of any form cannot be accepted by an enlightened community,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that patriarchy also hides behind these caste-based hate crimes, which denies women the right to decide their own futures.
Published – October 17, 2025 06:36 pm IST
