Why T.N. didn’t flare up over the SC/ST Act controversy

Tamil Nadu, about 20% of whose population comprises Dalits and the Scheduled Tribes (STs), has seen only a subdued response from political parties and civil society groups to the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on the law governing atrocities against Scheduled Castes/STs.

This in contrast to the situation in the northern States where violent agitations broke out over the issue, as the court issued a host of guidelines to protect public servants and private employees from arbitrary arrests under the SC/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

According to the 2011 Census, SCs or Dalits account for 1.44 crore (20.01%) and the STs, 7.95 lakh (1.1%), of Tamil Nadu’s total population of 7.21 crore.

In terms of absolute figures for the SC population, Tamil Nadu is ranked fourth at the all-India level, behind Uttar Pradesh (4.13 crore), West Bengal (2.14 crore) and Bihar (1.66 crore).

Many cite the Cauvery dispute and the protests over it as the reason for the relative quiet over the Supreme Court ruling.

Some attribute the situation to the “lack of interest” in significant issues concerning Dalits on the part of the DMK and the ruling AIADMK that dominate the political scene in the State.

However, Vaigaichelvan, spokesperson and deputy propaganda secretary of the AIADMK, and V.P. Duraisamy, DMK deputy general secretary, denied the charge against their parties.

Mr. Vaigaichelvan said that following the court’s ruling, there was a high-level discussion within his party and the consensus was that the interests of the Dalits should be protected and there should be no dilution of legal safeguards.

Mr. Duraisamy referred to a statement issued by his party’s working president, M.K. Stalin, a few days ago on the issue, and argued that the statement is a “testimony” to the “commitment” of the DMK on the Dalit cause.

Role of Dalit parties

D. Ravikumar, general secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, said that his party, along with its friendly parties including the DMK, the Congress and the Left, has been holding demonstrations in the northern parts of the State over the issue.

“Everyone is pre-occupied with the Cauvery dispute. That is the real reason why the response is not as vocal as it would have been otherwise,” he contended.

K. Jayakumar, national secretary of the Congress and a Dalit himself, saw nothing amiss with the parties’ reaction. However, R. Christodas Gandhi, former civil servant, found fault with not only the major parties but also with the Dalit parties.

He charged that for “political considerations,” the principal parties have not demonstrated keenness on Dalit issues.

To cite an example, as per the rules of the 1989 law, the State-level Vigilance Committee, headed by the Chief Minister, should meet twice a year. But, the panel has remained “non-existent,” he said.