Chennai: Terming the BJP-led government’s decision to provide 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker in the general category “against the Constitution,” leader of the opposition in the Assembly and DMK president M.K. Stalin accused the Centre of “starting a dangerous game” with the backward classes and others. He demanded the state government to spell out its stand on the issue.
Contending that the Centre’s move is against the principle of social justice and that it would not stand legal scrutiny, Stalin said as per Articles 15 (4) 16 (4) of the Constitution, reservation can be provided for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes. “Not only this, after the Mandal commission recommendation, the Central government’s order to ensure 10 per cent reservation in education and employment for economically backward in upper caste was struck down by the Supreme Court. Late justice Rathinavel Pandian had clearly stated that ensuring quota for economically backward is against the Constitution,” Stalin said while speaking on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the Assembly.
The DMK leader urged Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to bring an Assembly resolution against the proposal by Central government.
Intervening, fisheries minister D. Jayakumar said Tamil Nadu is a pioneer among the states in the country in implementing 69 per cent reservation, thanks to the consistent efforts of former Chief Ministers: M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. When he was the Backward Classes Minister (in 1991-96), he recalled that Jayalalithaa had ensured legal sanctity to the 69 per cent quota. She was even conferred the ‘protector of social justice’ award by Dravidar Kazhagam president Veeramani.
“The Centre has only taken a policy decision (to provide 10 per cent quota for economically backward in the general category) and has not made any announcement. The state government will surely convey its views when sought for it,” Jayakumar said.
With an eye on the upper caste votes in the coming Lok Sabha elections 2019, the Union Cabinet on Monday approved 10 per cent reservation for economically backward people in the general category in jobs and educational institutions.
