VCK hopes to convince DMK govt. to enact law against caste hatred crimes

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi is hopeful that it could prevail upon the DMK government to enact a legislation to deal with crimes driven by caste hatred in the next Assembly session, against the backdrop of the recent murder of a Scheduled Caste youth, Kavin Selvaganesh, in Tirunelveli district. Earlier, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had contended in the Assembly that existing laws were adequate to deal with such crimes.

VCK sources said the party had been working diligently behind the scenes to convince the DMK leadership to enact a special legislation. At the same time, a section felt the State government was lenient in implementing laws to protect the Scheduled Castes, and wondered why the DMK didn’t think of the community as a ‘vote bank’ like the OBCs.

VCK general secretary D. Ravikumar told The Hindu that while the DMK government had introduced significant development schemes that benefit the Scheduled Caste communities directly and indirectly, it cannot ignore the constitutional duty of protecting them.

“The government has ensured development of Scheduled Castes in terms of their education and encouraging entrepreneurship. It has created infrastructure, introduced scholarships for Dalits, and these schemes will have a long-lasting impact. It has also introduced entrepreneurship schemes such as Dr. Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme, besides reserving government contracts for SCs. Even reserved Panchayats have their own special schemes for development. Other welfare schemes – Magalir Urimai Thogai, free bus travel, Pudhumai Penn – overwhelmingly benefit Scheduled Castes and Most Backward Classes,” he said.

However, he felt development without ensuring equality was pointless.

Mr. Ravikumar said the continuation of atrocities and caste killings will stop the development initiatives of the State government. “Economic or educational development may be a choice of the government, but the State government is bound to ensure equality constitutionally,” he said.