Vanniyar job quota: PMK warns of violent stir

CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss on Sunday threatened to launch “a violent protest” if the reservation in state government jobs for vanniyars is less than 15%. He also laid a fresh demand for 20% reservation for vanniyars, a demand for which Vanniyar Sangam had organized protests in the state in the late ‘80s and eventually led to the formation of the PMK. At the party’s special executive council meeting, a resolution was passed demanding enactment of a new law to ensure all jobs in the state government and education to be reserved only for Tamils.
“In Tamil Nadu, 69% reservation is in place. Due to our efforts 20% reservation for MBCs was carved out. About 108 castes have benefitted due to our protests. I urge the state government to reveal the actual number of people, from each of these segments, who benefited from this reservation for MBCs. The government should also reveal the number of beneficiaries from BCs (30%), as also SC/STs (19%) under the respective categories. If needed, the state can constitute a 2-3 member commission for the same,” Ramadoss said, while addressing the party’s executive council virtual meeting on Sunday.
“The commission should come out with its report by December. It should happen in next three months. If the number of vanniyars, who benefited under this reservation is below 15%, then I will be forced to launch a ‘road roko’ protest. It will be more violent than that was witnessed when we undertook a seven-day protest in the past. I am warning that it will be a violent protest,” Ramadoss said.
According to him, PMK has been in the forefront of protests for every cause of the people. But the party could never come to power. “Anbumani (PMK’s youth wing president) has announced the formation of three fronts for sisters, brothers and people. These fronts are being formed in 90 assembly segments and it will soon strengthen the hands of Anbumani,” Ramadoss said.