Major political parties in Tamil Nadu on Monday came out strongly against the attempt by Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss to bring together leaders of various castes on a common platform to campaign against inter-caste marriages involving Dalits and to seek amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The parties, including the DMK, CPI(M), CPI and MDMK, warned that it went against social amity. “It is a dangerous trend,” said DMK leader M. Karunanidhi.
Asked whether the PMK leader had resorted to such a move to increase his vote bank, Mr. Karunanidhi said caste politics was dangerous and Dr Ramadoss was playing with fire. He went on to saythe government should act against those who indulged in caste politics.
MDMK leader Vaiko said it was unbecoming of a leader of a political party to ridicule inter-caste marriages and the modern dress code of Dalit youth.
