The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021
INTRODUCED BY
Introduced by
Mr Krishan Pal Gurjar
Union Minister for State of Social Justice and Empowerment
SYNOPSIS
The bill proposes to group 7 separate schedule caste communities of Tamil Nadu under 1 community ‘Devendrakalu Velalars’ as they share similarity in cultural and social values.
HIGHLIGHTS
Salient Points ()
The bill proposes to group 7 scheduled caste under 1 caste.
7 schedule caste to be grouped
- Devendrakalu Vellalar (excluding coaster areas)
- Kalladi
- Kudumbam
- Pallan
- Pannadi
- Vathiriyan
- Kadaiyan (in districts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam)
BACKGROUND
Background Basics ()
The demand of grouping has its roots from British India era.
The group had been economically and socially week.
It only gained traction in 1990s with emergence of strong and influential community leaders.
In 1990s, there were clashes between communities like Mukkulathors, Pallaars etc, which resulted in community consolidation.
The leaders have been demanding grouping of castes from 2015, as they have good presence in South Tamil Nadu.
This also reduces their chances for getting reservations in jobs and collage admissions.
The people feel they are socially suppressed due to Schedule Caste tag.
Any change in Schedule Caste and Tribe needs changes in constitution.
TIMELINES
Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
WHY (as per the govt)
Salient Points ()
The grouping would remove individual Dalit caste tags would help in the social advancement of the community.
The 7 Scheduled Caste share similarities socially and culturally.
WHY NOT (as per opposition)
Salient Points ()
The bill does not have other demands of community leaders to remove of their caste from Schedule Caste (SC) list.
MEDIA SAYING
OPINION POLL
Citizen Poll
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Do you support the constitution (scheduled caste) bill?
Responses