Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin in the All India Federation for Social Justice 3rd National Conferene

My compliments to Mr. Wilson M.P., a very senior lawyer, for organising this social justice conference so effectively! Thank you! No discrimination based on one’s blood or gender. This is the fundamental principles of the Dravidian movement. This is what Thanthai Periyar repeatedly emphasized. The social justice system, called ‘reservation,’ was created to establish a society without inequality among humans. The ideology of women’s rights was promoted to attain gender parity. Wilson organized this conference with these principles as its theme. Wilson has always been more invested in social justice activities than political ones. That is why he organized such a conference—that too an All-India conference. My gratitude to all the All-India leaders, who are participating in this conference based on the progressive ideas of the Dravidian movement that originated in Tamil Nadu—ideas dedicated to human development! We have all come together to create such a strong organization to restore the rights of the oppressed people across India. When I participated in the first conference held last year, I insisted that the reservation rights of the Backward Communities and Scheduled Caste people must be protected across India, and that Social Justice Monitoring Committees should be formed, as we have done in Tamil Nadu.

I emphasized that for the ideology of social justice to succeed, it is necessary for likeminded leaders across India to unite forces with similar beliefs. In the subsequent conference, I discussed the actions of the Union BJP government that undermine social justice. I also insisted on filling the vacant OBC and SC/ST posts in Union government institutions. We adopted resolutions such as implementing reservations in judicial appointments, introducing reservation in promotions for government employees, and removing the 50% arbitrary ceiling on reservation. I further emphasized that the reservation should be under the control of the states. Today, we have come together again to advance these objectives to the next level. Achieving social justice is not merely a matter for a single state or even India as a whole.

Wherever there is neglect, exclusion, untouchability, slavery, or injustice, social justice is the remedy for those social maladies! Social justice involves uplifting those who are socially and educationally disadvantaged. The Constitution defines social justice as aiding those who are denied opportunities socially and educationally. The definition ‘socially and educationally backward’ is found in Article 340 of the Constitution of India. The same terminology was used in the constitutional amendment. Hence, the Constitution defines reservation as the means to provide social justice to those who are socially and educationally backward. The reason for this amendment was the then Madras Presidency!

The leaders responsible for this amendment were Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna! The First Amendment to the Constitution declares that “Nothing in this article or in clause (2) of article 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.” The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in Parliament, noted that the catalyst for this amendment was “happenings in Madras.” During the Justice Party’s rule in the Madras Presidency, in 1922, the then Chief Minister Raja of Panagal enacted the communal G.O. This continues to guide Tamil Nadu till present. Many states have taken inspiration from Tamil Nadu in implementing social justice measures. Alongside providing social justice to the people of Tamil Nadu, the Dravidian movement also inspired the oppressed people of other Indian states to claim similar rights. This ideology has now spread across India.

However, social justice is not being implemented effectively by the BJP government. Over the past decade, the 27% reservation for the Backward Classes has not been fully implemented in Union government departments. The BJP does not want the poor, the disadvantaged, the Backward Classes, the Scheduled Castes, or the Scheduled Tribes to progress. That is why they oppose social justice. They are hell-bent on introducing economic criteria into reservations. We do not oppose financial assistance for the poor and needy. However, we are opposed to extending reservation – which should be provided on the basis of social backwardness – to general category castes solely based on economic criterion. The BJP is not only Anti-SC, Anti-ST, and Anti-OBC but also Anti-Women. That is why they have put the women’s reservation in cold storage. Except for one party, all other parties in both the house of Parliament supported the Women’s Reservation Bill.

No major party opposed it. Yet, the BJP inserted clauses in the bill to delay its implementation. They tied the bill’s enactment to: Completion of the census. Completion of constituency re-delimitation based on the census. Going by this, reservation for women will come into effect only after 2029, that is six years away. But they project as if they have passed the reservation act now itself. Such barriers did not exist in the Acts passed in 1996 or 2010. Who created these barriers now? The BJP, which introduced the law, has also obstructed it. The Self-Respect Conference held in Chengalpattu in 1929 passed revolutionary resolutions for women’s rights, including property rights, employment rights, and remarriage rights. Building on that legacy, the DMK government is introducing and implementing numerous welfare schemes for women. The BJP government, meanwhile, resists conducting a caste-based census, just as it resisted women’s reservation.

The DMK government walks the talk and implement schemes based on our principles. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution urging the Union Government to conduct a caste-based census immediately. A caste-based census is essential to devise schemes and enact legislations for equal rights and opportunities in education, employment, and the economy for all Indian people. The BJP government must immediately commence the decennial census that was due in 2021, along with a caste-based survey. Its reluctance to conduct these is because it would pave way to genuine social justice. By refusing caste-based survey they refuse social justice and by delaying reservation for women, they refuse women’s rights. We all need to raise our voices against this! Reservations for SC/ST, BC/MBCs must be implemented duly. Reservations for minorities must be provided duly. Reservations in judicial appointments shall be introduced. Reservation for SC/STs, OBCs in promotions shall be ensured.

The Union Government must conduct a caste-based population census and publish the data. Such efforts must be monitored at both the All-India and state levels, and in terms of social justice. When the DMK came to power in Tamil Nadu, it established the Adi Dravida – Tribal Commission, the Social Justice Commission, and the Social Justice Monitoring Committee. These committees oversee the adherence to social justice principles in education, employment, appointments, and promotions.

Similar committees must be established across all states. Social Justice Secular Politics Socialism Equality State Autonomy Federalism These are the pillars of an unparalleled India. Together, let us advance these ideals! Let us unite to build a socially just India—a nation of equality and fraternity! Thank you!

In the Conference, Hon’ble Jharkhand Chief Minister Thiru Hemant Soren, Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Thiru Akhilesh Yadav, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Thiru Tejashwi Yadav, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Thiru Farooq Abdullah, Communist party of India General Secretary Thiru D. Raja, Marxist Communist Party of India Former Member of Parliament Tmt. Brinda Karat, Dravidar Kazhagam President Thiru Asiriyar K. Veeramani, Members of Parliament Thiru Vaiko, Tmt. Kanimozhi, Thiru Raja, Thiru Trichy Siva, Thiru Thol. Thirumavalavan, All India Federation for Social Justice Convenor and Member of Parliament Thiru P. Wilson, Members of Legislative Assembly Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah, Thiru E.R. Eswaran, Allahabad High Court Retired Former Judge Thiru Virendra Singh Yadav, Ex- MPs and Social Activists participated in the Conference.