While Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Have Had Dalit Chief Ministers, Tamil Nadu Is Unlikely To Have One Anytime Soon

A recent remark by Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss saying that his party would make a Dalit the chief minister of the state if his party received the support of the community has drawn quite a lot of attention in Tamil Nadu.

Ramadoss made the remarks in response to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thirumavalavan’s statement that a Dalit could never be the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

Ramadoss' comment is interesting given the nature and perception of his party, the PMK. It also comes at a time when there is anger among Dalits due to the murder of K Armstrong, who was the state president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The PMK is seen as an outfit representing Vanniyars, a dominant intermediate caste group classified as a Most Backward Class (MBC). Vanniyars and Dalits have often clashed with each other over issues like intercaste marriage and temple entry.

Political commentators were thus quick to dismiss Ramadoss' take as tokenism and attribute it to the declining fortunes of the PMK in electoral politics. The Vanniyar vote is now split and not consolidating behind the party.

The PMK failed to win a single seat in the recent Lok Sabha election and even lost Dharmapuri, where Ramadoss’ wife was the candidate.

Dalits Don't Have It Easy Despite 'Social Justice' Talk

What Thirumavalavan, seen as the tallest Dalit leader in the state, said about the inability of the state to have a Dalit chief minister is significant, as Tamil Nadu is often portrayed as the ‘land of social justice’ by the Dravidian parties, especially the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

If that were the case, it is only natural to expect that Dalits would find it easier to ascend to high positions in the state compared to anywhere else.

Unfortunately, in spite of all the lofty claims about social justice, Dalits still face a number of challenges.

There have been instances like Dalit panchayat presidents not being allowed to hoist the national flag on Independence Day and Republic Day, restrictions on entering temples, and reports of a ‘two-tumbler system’ being prevalent in some villages.

In addition, the accused in the case where human faeces were found in a water tank used by Dalits in Pudukkottai district’s Vengaivayal village have not been nabbed yet.

Politically too, the community is hampered by the fact that Dalit candidates are often restricted to reserved seats and are not given tickets in general seats.

This was seen in the case of the VCK. Even though it is an important constituent of the DMK-led alliance, it was denied a third Lok Sabha seat. The party's candidates fought only for two reserved seats — Chidambaram and Villupuram.

State Politics Dominated By OBCs, Leaving Little Room For Dalits

The state’s politics is dominated by OBCs, who make up around 68 per cent of the population. The Scheduled Castes (Dalits) comprise around 20 per cent. Even among the OBCs, certain groups, which have large populations concentrated in particular regions, call the shots.

While the Vanniyars dominate in the northern districts, the Gounders do so in the west. Likewise, the Thevars and Nadars pull the strings in the south. 

This is again reflected in the representation in the state cabinet. There are just two Dalit ministers, and neither of them holds any heavyweight portfolios.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) governments in the past also didn't fare much better. In the cabinet formed after AIADMK supremo and former chief minister J Jayalalithaa's death, there were only three ministers from among the Dalit members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) in addition to P Dhanapal, who was made the assembly speaker.

Thus, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with similar or lesser percentages of Scheduled Caste (SC) populations, have had Dalit chief ministers, Tamil Nadu is unlikely to have one anytime soon.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu's Long-Standing Lie Is Getting Called Out: Dalits Feel Let Down By Dravidian Parties