PMK welcomes Tamil Nadu Cabinet nod for Social Justice Survey, urges early start

Anbumani Ramadoss. File

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has welcomed the Tamil Nadu Cabinet’s approval for a Social Justice Survey, also known as a caste census, and the establishment of a commission to oversee the exercise. The party has urged the government to begin the survey without delay.

In a statement, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said the survey had been a 47-year-long aspiration of the party and was necessary to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s 69% reservation system. He urged the government to appoint a retired High Court judge committed to social justice to head the commission.

He recalled that he had urged Chief Minister Vijay to conduct the survey during a meeting on May 11. Subsequently, a meeting of political party leaders and social organisations convened by the PMK on June 5 adopted a resolution seeking a caste census under the name of the Social Justice Survey.

During a meeting with the Chief Minister at the Secretariat on June 9, he reiterated the demand and received an assurance that the survey aligned with the government’s policy.

The government later announced the survey in the Governor’s Address and has now approved the commission’s establishment, he said, urging it to expedite preparations and commence the exercise.