CHIEF Minister M.K. Stalin has joined the chorus of opposition leaders in seeking the implementation of a caste census to help streamline reservations and promote social justice in India. Demonstrating his intent to fight for the upliftment of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), Stalin seeks to unite anti-BJP political leaders from multiple states.
By doing so, he raises awareness towards the BJP’s alleged acts of discrimination such as the scrapping of the 4% reservation for minorities in Karnataka. Additionally, he decries the 10% quota for the economically weaker sections as a “deceitful measure” which plainly violates the constitution. To this end, Stalin insists that the findings of the caste census should be made publicly accessible.
This call for social justice was echoed at the first national conference of the All-India Federation of Social Justice, which was organized by the DMK and brought together chief ministers Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan), Hemant Soren (Jharkhand), Tejaswi Yadav (Bihar), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and several other state leaders. Political representatives such as Derek O’Brien (TMC), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI) and D Raja (CPI-M) were also in attendance.
Many of the attendees openly attacked the BJP for their stand on social justice. Farooq Abdullah, President of the National Conference, underscored the need for political allies to be brought together to overthrow the BJP’s “divisive politics” and strengthen the importance of social justice. Similarly, VCK leader Thol Tirumavalavan stressed the need to consolidate forces against the BJP and Sangh Parivar, while CPI’s D Raja underscored the need to extend reservations to the private sector.
At the event, Stalin sought to perform his role as state leader by rallying everyone to unite against a common enemy and foray into a broader campaign for social justice across India. It is clear by his success in bringing together so many political leaders that he has certainly made his place on the national political stage.
