Idea is to demonstrate their numerical strength during census
With the first socio-economic and caste census of the post-Independence era under way all over Tamil Nadu, barring Chennai, caste-based outfits have started urging their members to shed sub-caste identities and register themselves under one prime caste name to demonstrate their collective identity.
Major caste blocs have told their members not to mention the names of sub-castes while registering the caste name. A few outfits have dispatched batches of volunteers to “educate and supervise” the enumeration so that there was no confusion over which caste they belong to. They have issued advertisements and statements in the local print and electronic media, instructing people under which caste name they should register.
The Vanniyar Sangam, caste face of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), was the first outfit to issue such an appeal in the media asking all Vanniyars, who are concentrated predominantly in the western and northern districts, to register their caste name as Vanniyarkula Kshathriyar.
The Sangam, which came into limelight when it launched an agitation demanding exclusive reservation for Vanniyars in the 1980s, urged them not to register under the names of sub-castes, such as Palli, Padayatchi, Kandar, Muthalipillai, Mooper and Vandaiyar, since it would deprive them of the benefit of reservation.
Sangam senior deputy general secretary and former MLA, A. Karti, says Vanniyars are a mass caste bloc in the State. “Unfortunately, we remain divided into sub-sects. Hence, the forum is highlighting the fact that many sub-sects have not been included under Most Backward Classes (MBC) list.”
He argues that the census findings will corroborate the claims of PMK leader S. Ramadoss that Vanniyars are the largest single caste bloc.
“To retrieve their rights, Nadars should register their caste name as Nadars,” says G. Karikkolraj, general secretary of the Madurai-based Nadar Mahajana Sangam. According to him, Nadars, who migrated to other parts in Tamil Nadu, are identified under various sub-castes. “It will deprive us of all opportunities in future. Hence, we should all register our caste name only as Nadars.”
Those who converted to Christianity should register themselves as Christian Nadars, but another group from the same caste, the Tamil Nadu Kshathriya Nadar Iyakkam, in a statement, has asked people to register either under Nadar or prefixing it with the names of sub castes such as Sanar, Kiramani, Mukkanthar, Kodikalar or Nattathi.
Groups representing the Kongu Velala community have asked people to register their names as Kongu Velala so that the benefits of reservation and employment could be harvested fully in future. ‘BEST' Ramasamy, President of the Kongnadu Munnetra Kazhagam, endorses this view. However the sub-castes of Piramalai Kallars and Maravas in southern and central districts prefer to keep their identities intact since almost all their sub-caste groups are enjoying the benefits of reservation. So do the Dalit castes.
The Tamil Nadu Telugu Brahmana Sabha has urged its people to register their caste under Hindu Telugu Brahmin, while Telungupatti Chetti Mahajana Sangam has told its people to register their caste name as Telungupatti Chetti.
I think it is not a bad idea. We cannot eradicate caste overnight. The best is to combine sub castes under larger outfits.Instead of having 50 castes, we can have just 10 using this method.The next step is to pass a law that everyone should use their caste name as surname and same surname marriage must be banned. You can then see more inter caste marriage. I use my caste name Chettiyar as surname. My wife is a Nadar. I told my children not to marry Chettiyar as it will result in clash of surnames.
Hope we will soon see the daye when we all register ourselves as 'Indians' or 'Human Beings' which is still better
Government has to clearly instruct people what to do. Nobody knows the hidden plans behind this exercise. Government has to clearly specify reasons for this exercise and also create awareness among people... otherwise political leaders/caste leaders everyone will play their part. I also dont know whether the people are given a receipt of what is being noted as even the people who are recording this also belongs to a particular caste and we even dont send police officers of particular caste to southern districts. At the end of this exercise there could be lot of hue and cry as there will be lot of winners/losers.This is a huge exercise and correction will be difficult.
... How nice to see the actions of disciples of Periyar !!But the real culprit is Karuna who invariably used to select Caste factor in deciding the candidates for contesting elections !!!
can you not register your self as human??? Why letting this caste system to divide our society. 99% problem in our country are due to this caste system.
Is this the path to create a casteless society? Politicians and caste leaders have no real interest to develop their flock. They only want to use this for their own political advancement. We can expect more caste wars and antagonisms based on this census. The fragmentation of Hindu society will continue.
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