Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120454200400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Amend Constitution to provide reservation for Dalit Christians”

Special Correspondent

Thirumavalavan welcomes State government’s decision to allot 3 per cent quota for Arundathiyars

CHENNAI: Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Wednesday urged the Centre to amend the Constitution to provide reservation for Dalit Christians under the quota of Scheduled Castes (SC).

Reacting to the disqualification of the AIADMK MLA Chandra, elected from the Rajapalayam reserved Assembly constituency, on the ground that she was a Dalit Christian, Mr. Thirumavalavan said denying reservations to Dalit Christians, who were languishing under poor economic and social conditions all over the country, was unacceptable. He welcomed the State government’s decision to allot 3 per cent reservation to Arundathiyars out of 18 per cent quota allotted to the SCs.

“It is a just and right decision aimed at uplifting the community that is in the last rung of the social ladder and still carry night soil on their heads.”

Condemning the terrorist attack in Mumbai, Mr. Thirumavalavan said investigation into the incident should take into consideration the Hindutva’s link with terrorist activities as had unfolded in the Malegaeon bomb blasts.

He said the party had given up its plan to take a journey to Ayodhya on December 6 in view of the political situation.

Mr. Thirumavalavan, who is part of the all-party team to meet Prime Minister Manmohan to urge him to end the war in Sri Lanka, said India should favourably consider LTTE leader Prabakaran’s request for lifting the ban on the organisation.

Asked about Union Minister EVKS Elangovan’s demand that that he should not be included in the all-party team, Mr.Thirumavalavan said neither TNCC president K.V. Thangkabalu nor AICC president Sonia Gandhi had expressed their opinion against him. “It is the personal opinion of Mr. Elangovan.”