The Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the pleas filed by Tamil Nadu to implement 50 percent OBC reservations in the All India Quota in medical colleges has left many fuming. Lok Sabha MP and President of VCK, Thol Thirumavalavan has now written a strongly worded statement attributing the decision to the influence of the ruling party at the Centre. He also urged the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to immediately call for an all-party meeting to decide the next course of legal action, especially because Tamil Nadu 'has always been a pioneer where reservations are concerned, and we hope that we come forward as a state in doing our historical duty towards social justice'
“VCK condemns the BJP government for denying reservation in medical seats to OBCs and MBCs, the majority of whom are working class Hindus. We call upon the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to immediately call for an all-party meeting in order to express the prevailing consensus in Tamil Nadu in this regard to the Centre, and to decide on the next course of legal action,” he urged.
He accused the BJP of adopting a ‘Manuwadi’ stand when it comes to the backward classes, “Consequent to the order of the Madras High Court, the Tamil Nadu government had filed a case before the Supreme Court that OBC students must be given 50% reservation in medical seats this year itself. Today, the Supreme Court has said that they cannot pass orders for the implementation of 50% reservation, and even for the 27% reservation. The reason for this is the affidavit filed by the BJP Government. The Central Government has submitted that unless a policy decision is reached in this regard, we will not be able to provide even 27% reservation for OBC students, let alone 50% reservation. Only on the basis of their submission, the Supreme Court has passed such a verdict.”
The MP stressed that this deprivation of reservation was not just about this year alone, “Earlier, when this question was raised in Parliament, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan gave the same answer. Later, a case was filed before the Supreme Court by DMK, VCK and other parties. When the Supreme Court asked us to approach the High Court, these cases were filed before the Madras High Court, which heard the case and gave a clear verdict. In addition to holding that the State Government has a right to provide 50% reservation, it had also ordered the Central Government to make legislation within three months to enable this to go ahead.” He also stated that reservation for SC, ST, OBC communities is a right given by the Constitution.
He also urged Tamil Nadu to stick to its stand and ensure social justice, “Tamil Nadu has always been a pioneer where reservations are concerned, and we hope that we come forward as a state in doing our historical duty towards social justice. We call upon the Chief Minister to immediately organise an all-party meeting to express to the Centre the political consensus prevailing in Tamil Nadu with respect to the issue of reservations, and to plan the next course of legal action.”
