Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday joined issue with AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa over upholding social justice in the State, recalling various measures taken by DMK governments.
Reacting to Ms Jayalalithaa's assertion that the AIADMK had no equals when it came to protecting social justice, Mr. Karunanidhi said social justice was the bedrock of the Dravidian movement.
As soon as he assumed chief ministership in 1969, Mr. Karunanidhi said he formed the Backward Classes Commission under the chairmanship of A.N. Sattanathan and implemented its recommendations.
Quota hiked
The government issued an order on June 7 that year increasing the quota for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) from 16 per cent to 18 per cent. Similarly, the quota for Backward Classes was increased from 25 per cent to 31 per cent.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the AIADMK government subsequently fixed income ceiling for Backward Classes to get the benefits of reservation. “But, after its defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, the AIADMK government in 1980 increased the reservation for Backward Classes from 31 per cent to 50 per cent.”
When he returned to power in 1989, Mr. Karunanidhi said that he held discussions with PMK leader S. Ramadoss and introduced 20 per cent reservation for Most Backward Classes within the 50 per cent reservation for BCs.
Besides, 1 per cent exclusive quota for STs was introduced in June 1990.
Mandal recommendations
Detailing the efforts he took to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations by negotiating with the then Prime Minister V.P. Singh and Deputy Prime Minister Devilal, Mr. Karunanidhi said he proposed a special resolution in the State legislature seeking immediate implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations in May 1989 followed by a social justice conference in May 1990 at Thanjavur.
