DMK has 1 Dalit among its 65 district secretaries

Chennai: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spearheaded an agitation recently to oppose attempts to dilute the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The party is an unflinching advocate of social justice, which has caste-based reservation at its core. DMK never gets tired of priding itself as the rightful inheritor of Periyar's legacy.

Has the DMK been able to ensure equal opportunities for the oppressed class within the party? “No” has to be the answer if you look at Dalit representation among its district secretaries. V. Ganesan of Cuddalore West is the only Dalit secretary in DMK's  65 district units.

The population of Dalits is around 1.40 crore in Tamil Nadu and they have 19% quota in educational institutions and government jobs. But their representation in DMK's powerful body is only 1.65%.

When asked about the lack of proportionate Dalits representation among district secretaries, K. Ponmudi, a former DMK minister, said curtly: “People who work hard for our party become district secretaries.” Does he mean Dalits haven't done enough to rise to the position?

B.R. Ambedkar, the unquestionable leader of Dalits in India, put up a fierce fight with Mahatma Gandhi even before Independence to ensure reservation for the Scheduled Caste in regional assemblies and Parliament. He feared that Dalit representation in legislative bodies would be virtually nil if not for constitutionally guaranteed reservation in a country as mired in caste as India.The Tamil Nadu Assembly has 44 seats reserved for scheduled caste.

Although DMK has been reluctant to support Dalits openly in their struggle against oppressive caste Hindus especially in honour killing cases, it has a reputation of being a progressive party. Quite a few inter-caste marriages have been solemnised in DMK president M.K. Karunanidhi's family. But a fear that Dalit empowerment might alienate intermediary caste functionaries within the party is unmistakeable.  After all, a district secretary wields immense power in DMK.

R. Adiyaman, a Dalit leader and founder of Adhi Tamizhar Peravai, said DMK has historically been a party of backward caste people. 

“I would say DMK was founded on backward caste consolidation. It's not easy to pull down the structure. We would certainly want more Dalits as district secretaries in DMK,” he added.

Any change in state and central government quota is a cumbersome process because it requires legislative approval. But reservation in party posts only needs a firm hand at the top. If DMK working president M.K. Stalin sets his sight on it, nothing can stop him.

According to Mr Adiyaman, the problem isn't with the leadership. “Mr Stalin is aware of the imbalance. One of the greatest achievements of DMK president Mr Karunanidhi is allocating 3% within the SC quota to Arunthathiyars. I firmly believe that DMK is ready to give Dalits their due. But the biggest hurdle could be resistance from BC and MBC district functionaries,” he said.

A relentless fight for social justice on the one hand and virtually no role for Dalits at the top of district units on the other hand can seem incongruous for neutral observers. Doesn't DMK face the threat of being accused of hypocrisy? “No,” said Tamilan Prasanna, a DMK spokesperson. 

“No party has done as much for Dalits as DMK. But the media always portrays us in a negative light.  An assistant general secretary post in the party has been reserved for a Dalit. Our propaganda secretary (A. Raja) is also a Dalit. Please understand that the high command doesn't appoint a district secretary. Intra-party elections decide the post. It is mandatory for every district unit to have a Dalit as an assistant secretary,” he added.

If an assistant secretary post can be reserved for a Dalit, what prevents DMK from setting aside a fixed number of secretary posts for the community?