The Journey of Caste Concessions: An Analysis of Reservation Policy in Tamil Nadu

Introduction to the Caste System and Its Evolution in Tamil Nadu

Caste, a socio-religious order with rigid hierarchical structure, is considered one of the most diabolical and pernicious systems ever created by man. The concept of caste did not initially exist in Tamil Nadu. Historically, there were no caste distinctions or prejudices. What emerged later was purely a man-made construct. A notable instance is Nandanaar, a dalit, whose devout desire to worship Nataraja in Chidambaram led to a legendary incident. Nandanaar could not see the deity’s image due to the tall Nandi statue in front. However, his intense devotion miraculously moved Nandi aside, allowing Nandanaar a clear view. This event symbolizes the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, where personal spirit defied the artificial caste barriers. Nonetheless, leaders like Periar, through self-respect movements, inadvertently perpetuated caste hatred for their personal gains, leading to visible societal divides.

Historical Context and Early Initiatives for Social Reforms

The first documented evidence of addressing social backwardness in Tamil Nadu came as early as 1871 with the Madras Census Report. The report highlighted that non-Brahminical Hindu and Muslim communities were excluded from political opportunities. Over a century later, in 1902, the Maharaja of Chatrapati Sahu introduced 50% reservations for non-Brahmins in his states. Following this, the Mysore government recognized the need for reservations in 1918, and these were later increased to 90% by the Maharaja of Sahu in 1920.

However, it was not until 1927 that caste became a primary factor for recruitment in government jobs in the Madras state, with a distribution of 2 Brahmins, 5 non-Brahminical Hindus, 2 Muslims, 2 Anglo-Indians, and 1 for Scheduled Castes. This gradual shift highlighted a growing recognition of the need for social reforms.

Key Milestones and Reforms in Tamil Nadu

1928–1943: The establishment of separate election camps for backward classes and the Poona Pact in 1932 marked significant progress. The first significant legal backing for reservations came with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s memorandum to the viceroy in 1943, which led to a 8.33% reservation for Scheduled Castes in 1944, increasing to 12.33% in 1946.

1950: The Indian Constitution was adopted, including the principle of reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), with Article 340 directing the state to constitute Backward Classes Commission to recommend similar measures.

1951: A 16% reservation for SC/ST and 25% for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was introduced, bringing the total reservation percentage to 41.

1969: The Sattanathan Commission recommended the introduction of more reservations. In 1971, the DMK government increased OBC reservations to 31%, and SC/ST reservations were raised to 18%, bringing the total to 49.

1980: The ADMK government’s exclusion of the Creamy Layer scheme and an increase of OBC reservations to 50% brought the total to 68.

1992: The Supreme Court’s Mandal Judgement capped the reservation percentage at 50%, initiating a new era of debate and tension around the extent of caste-based concessions.

Modern Challenges and Ongoing Reforms

Efforts to further refine and expand the reservation policy have been both significant and controversial. In 1994, in response to a case filed by K. M. Vijayan on behalf of VOICE Consumer Forum, the Tamil Nadu government was instructed to adhere to a 50% reservation cap. However, the ongoing debates continue to revolve around issues such as the inclusion of the Creamy Layer and the exact criteria for determining backwardness.

Today, Tamil Nadu stands at the forefront of the reservation debate, with a complex and evolving policy landscape. The journey of caste concessions in Tamil Nadu reflects not just the socio-political dynamics but also the deep-seated challenges of transformation and social equity in a democratic society.

For educational institutions and responsible citizens, understanding the historical trajectory of reservation policy in Tamil Nadu is crucial for effective civic engagement and informed public discourse.