CHENNAI: PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday urged the Vanniyar community to prepare for fresh agitations to secure 15 per cent internal reservation in education and government employment.
His appeal followed a clash on Friday between his supporters and those of party founder S Ramadoss at the Vanniyar Sangam office in Tindivanam taluk. Revenue officials sealed the premises on police advice to prevent law-and-order problems during the Vanniyar martyr’s day observance on September 17. The office is where the father and son have traditionally paid homage together to the 21 youths who died in the 1987 agitation for community reservation. Following S Ramadoss' expulsion of his son from the party on Thursday, both groups plan to hold separate events this year.
Marking the 38th anniversary of the agitation, Anbumani recalled that the protests began on September 17, 1987, after years of demand for a 20 per cent exclusive reservation for Vanniyars and a proportionate quota for all communities. He paid tribute to the 21 persons who died during the week-long road blockade and said their sacrifice continued to guide the community’s struggle.
He said the 1989 government order creating a “Most Backward Class” category with 20 per cent reservation did not improve Vanniyar’s socio-economic conditions. After renewed protests, the AIADMK regime provided 10.5 per cent internal reservation, which the Madras High Court later struck down. He alleged that the DMK government is unwilling to challenge it.