Tamil Nadu government faces criticism over policy note and reservation claims

The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of the TVK, is facing criticism regarding its stance on social justice and religious identity. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has accused the administration of “erasing history” after the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department omitted references to social reformers Periyar EV Ramasamy, B.R. Ambedkar, and Jawaharlal Nehru from its latest policy note.

The omitted section, titled “History of Reservation,” previously detailed the contributions of these figures and the Justice Party to the state's social justice movement. VCK general secretary Sinthanai Selvan stated that history should not be rewritten for political convenience.

Additionally, controversy has arisen following statements by Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar. During an Assembly session, Prabhakar identified himself as a “Vanniyar Christian” and advocated for reservation benefits for Christians converted from the Vanniyar community. This follows earlier observations regarding Joseph Vijay’s religious expressions during his election campaign.