Backward Classes Policy Note Omits Periyar and Ambedkar, Minister Promises Revision

The omission of references to Jawaharlal Nehru, ‘Periyar’ E V Ramasamy, B R Ambedkar, and the Justice Party from the state government’s policy note on backward classes welfare has triggered a political controversy in Chennai, leading Minister V Sampath Kumar to take moral responsibility and promise a revised publication.

The historical references, which were featured prominently in the previous DMK regime’s policy note, were absent from the 2026-27 document of the Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes Welfare department after it was tabled in the Assembly on Thursday.

Following the tabling of the document, the DMK condemned the TVK government, alleging that it was running a “shadow BJP administration” despite being in power with the support of the Congress and other allies.

In a statement, DMK legal wing joint secretary I Paranthaman alleged that the state government had deliberately omitted key references related to the history of the reservation movement from the official document.

Paranthaman stated that in a state that serves as the cradle of social justice and the voice of the oppressed, omitting the names of the stalwarts who spearheaded the struggle for reservation from government records amounts to a historic betrayal.

The exclusions from the policy note included historical details concerning the Communal Government Order, Periyar’s agitations, the Mandal Commission, and the 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes in Union government jobs and admissions to educational institutions.