Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday (January 28, 2025) said only the DMK was persisting in its fight to ensure social justice at an all-India level, and that its journey towards social justice was continuing even after 100 years.
Speaking after inaugurating a manimandapam (memorial) built in honour of 21 social justice activists and a memorial hall at Vazhuthareddy in memory of former Minister A. Govindasamy, Mr. Stalin recalled that 21 people were “shot dead like sparrows” in a police firing during the struggle demanding reservation benefits for the Vanniyars during the AIADMK regime in 1987.
It was the DMK government, led by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, which came to power in 1989, that created the ‘Most Backward Classes’ (MBC) category and allotted 20% reservation to them in education and employment. The DMK also announced a solatium of ₹3 lakh each to the next of kin of the victims and a monthly pension of ₹3,000 each.
Mr. Stalin said the DMK had always championed for social justice and continued to work for the upliftment of Dalits, Most Backward Communities, and the underprivileged sections in the State. He recalled that the first amendment to the Indian Constitution to protect reservation for Backward Classes in 1951 was introduced thanks to the efforts of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK stalwart C.N. Annadurai and social reformer Periyar.
The inauguration of the memorial for the 21 social justice activists is a testament to the fact that the DMK always stood for social justice. It was only during the DMK regime that the BC reservation was raised from 25% to 31% and the quota for Scheduled Castes raised from 16% to 18%, Mr. Stalin said.
‘Criticisms will not bother DMK’
Referring to the criticism made by leaders of Opposition parties, Mr. Stalin said the defects pointed out by them were not against the government but were only in “the minds and thinking of these parties.” “They will never do anything good for the people and will not let others do good either,” he remarked.
But these criticisms will not bother the DMK, and it will continue to work for the welfare of the people, he said.
Listing out various new projects in Villupuram district, Mr. Stalin said he would never aspire to be called the ‘No. 1 Chief Minister’ but his goal was to make Tamil Nadu the ‘No. 1 State’ in the country.
The Chief Minister also announced the implementation of the long-pending Nandan canal project at a cost of ₹304 crore. The project connects Tiruvananamalai and Villupuram districts. He also distributed welfare measures to the tune of ₹323.71 crore to 35,003 beneficiaries.
Ministers Duraimurugan, K. Ponmudy, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, C.V. Ganesan, and M.P. Saminathan; and Members of Parliament D. Ravikumar and S. Jagathratchakan were present at the event.
