"The basis of my politics lies in the proposition that the Untouchables are not a sub-division or sub-section of Hindus, and that they are a separate and distinct element in the national life of India".- Babasheb Dr.B.R.Ambedkar.
While welcoming Selvaperunthagai into congress fold, the Home minister welcomed the Dalit leader to join congress saying that “The Congress cannot become the principal party in TN without the support of dalits, and no party which wants to be number one can ignore a section that accounts for 18% or 19% of the population,”. Accoring to 2001 census the SC/STs population is 22.67% this facts neither accepted by the P.Chidambaram nor Karunanithi for giving reservation in their party or in Government services.
The news item appeared in Times of India on 02.08.10 show the true concern of P.Chidambaram on Dalits.
TAMIL NADU-Census-2001
Parameter Total Male Female Percentage Sex Ratio
population 62405679 31400909 31004770 100 987
SC 1857504 5932925 5924579 21.49 999
ST 651321 328917 322404 1.18 980
CLARION CALL: P Chidambaram
A concerted effort is on in the Congress in Tamil Nadu to win back its dalit base. The endeavour is being spearheaded by Union home minister P Chidambaram who, on Sunday, invited the scheduled castes to join the Congress, saying that it was the only party that could give them due recognition.
As the party enthusiastically welcomed dalit legislator K Selvam, formerly in the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi and later state president of the Bahujan Samaj Party, into its fold, its leaders sounded upbeat about reviving the party’s original support base among the oppressed classes.
“The Congress cannot become the principal party in TN without the support of dalits, and no party which wants to be number one can ignore a section that accounts for 18% or 19% of the population,” Chidambaram said, after party leaders honoured Selvam with shawls.
At the function, Congress leaders emphasised that it was not good for the dalits, who had once been with the party, to be scattered among various parties. And Chidambaram remarked that as long as dalit leaders were in the Congress, atrocities against the scheduled castes were under control. Soon, a dalit could lead TN Cong: PC Leaders Hail Selvam’s Entry As Sign Of Scheduled Castes Embracing Party
Chennai: The Congress in Tamil Nadu on Sunday celebrated the entry into its fold of dalit legislator K Selvam, also known as Selvaperunthagai. Selvam, who was elected to the state assembly on a Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) ticket, and had a brief stint as president of the Bahujan Samaj Party’s state unit, still retains his MLA seat.
Whether Selvam’s entry into the Congress would boost the party’s electoral prospects in Tamil Nadu is debatable, but its leaders gave the impression that they saw the event as a precursor to the revival of the party’s dalit vote bank. And they hoped dalits would not be scattered among different identitybased parties, but would embrace the Congress.
As a large number of young supporters of Selvam greeted each reference to his name with applause and whistles, Congress leaders appeared happy to have roped in a dalit leader with a youth following. For, as the party’s deputy leader in the legislature D Yasodha pointed out, the Congress has seen the erosion of its dalit base over the decades. “The Congress needs the support of dalits to become the principal party in Tamil Nadu,” said Union home minister P Chidambaram.
Chidambaram said that when dalit leaders were in the Congress, atrocities against the scheduled castes were under control. “It was only when they left the party that atrocities began to increase.” He also said the credit for the good performance of dalit leaders in India should go to the Congress for providing them the opportunities, giving the examples of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram.
Chidambaram referred to former state home minister P Kakkan, a dalit stalwart of the Congress whose centenary celebrations were held in Madurai on Saturday, and said tireless work, great personal integrity and boundless love for the poor were the reasons behind Kakkan’s rise in public life, despite his humble birth and sparse education.
Wishing that others would emulate him, he said Kakkan was the first dalit president of the state Congress, and there were two more — Maragatham Chandrasekar and L Elayaperumal. The day was not far off when another dalit could occupy the post. “The government will give you concessions, jobs, land and loans, but only a political party can give you status and recognition. That party is the Congress,” he said.
Selvam said his mind had been poisoned against the Congress in the past, but had now been touched by the affection of Congress leaders who, he had once thought, were not easily approachable.
TNCC president KV Thangkabalu and other Congress functionaries including S Thirunavukkarasar and Karthi Chidambaram felicitated Selvam and his supporters for joining the party. Ravi Mallu, a Congress leader from Andhra Pradesh who is an observer for the TNCC, appealed to Chidambaram to continue with his efforts to win over dalits to the party’s ranks.
Source: The Times of India dated 02.08.2010
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