The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Committee sought to protect Backward Classes' interests

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 25, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Committee sought to protect Backward Classes' interests

Special Correspondent

Karunanidhi urges Centre to set up Parliamentary panel

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi being welcomed by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Dasari Narayana Rao (second from left), PMK president G.K.Mani (second from right) and TNCC president M. Krishnasswamy at the conference in Che nnai on Thursday. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi on Thursday urged the Centre to take immediate steps to constitute a Parliamentary Committee to safeguard the interests of the Backward Classes (BCs) including social justice.

Addressing a "Social Justice Conference" held here by the All India Confederation of Other Backward Class Employees' Welfare Associations, he appealed to all the backward sections including Dalits to strive for ensuring that the Centre set up such a panel.

Mr.Karunanidhi said that he would appeal to the United Progressive Alliance Government and persuade it to form the Parliamentary Committee, which was essential to meet the challenges posed to social justice. He also made it clear that even an agitation would be launched if necessary to highlight the demand.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government would argue the case for constituting the panel, besides calling an all-party meeting to discuss the issue and taking it up with the Centre through a delegation to New Delhi, he said.

It was cause and not power or position that was important to him, Mr.Karunanidhi said, stressing the need for ensuring that the oppressed people regained their rights and glory which were lost, owing to denial of due opportunities in education and employment.

He pinned his hopes on the youth who, he said, had to rededicate themselves to the cause of continuing the battle for social justice till it was won.

Even when the first Constitutional amendment was made by the Congress Government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru to uphold social justice, the move was opposed by some sections, he recalled.

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan said her Ministry had already prepared a draft bill to provide statutory powers to the National Commission for Backward Classes. She expressed the hope that Mr.Karunanidhi during his forthcoming visit to New Delhi would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Dasari Narayana Rao said the UPA Government was committed to taking steps to ensure social justice to the BCs and other oppressed sections.

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