The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Dalits to Nadars, five castes key to TN polls
AS TAMIL NADU heads for electionsinthreedays,thebjpistrying to shed the image of an uppercastepartywithoutreachtoinfluentialobcgroups,andhastiedup with several caste-based outfits. The ruling DMK, which has a broad-basedcoalitionacrosscaste groups, also has formed alliances with similar groups.
The five groups which will play a crucial goal in the state’s landscape are:
DALITS:IN the absence of a caste census, official sources put the number of Dalits in Tamil Nadu at around 19% to 21% of the state’s population. They are spread across the state. The larger Dravidian political movement, evolving over the last two centuries has always reached out to Dalits.
MP Thol Thirumavalavan, the founder of Viduthalai
Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), which has been one of the closest DMK allies, advocates for Dalit rights.
VANNIYARS: Vanniyars, who are from northern Tamil Nadu, are one of the largest and most politically-active Most Backward Classes (MBCS) in the state. OBCS are separated into BC and MBC groups in the state. Vanniyars are a largely agrarian community and have continued land ownership. Names of its members come up routinely in relation to anti-dalit riots in the state.
Vanniyars are politically represented through the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), now a part of the Bjp-led NDA, which is led by S Ramadoss. The Vanniyars are estimated to constitute about 12% to 15% of the state’s population.
THEVARS: Largely concentrated in Tamil Nadu’s southern districts, Thevars have been a politically influential community and also fall in the MBC category. A number of Thevar politicians are in the AIADMK. Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s close aide V K Sasikala and rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam are both Thevars.
The community’s population is estimated to be between 10%12%.
GOUNDERS:THIS community falls in the BC category and accounts for around 5% to 7% of the population. They are concentrated in Western Tamil Nadu, or the Kongu Nadu region.
Mainly dependent on agriculture and related industries, the community is also known for entrepreneurship and playing a key role in the regional industries. When Edappadi K Palaniswami, a Gounder, took control of the AIADMK after
Jayalalithaa’s death, he allocated key Cabinet portfolios to many Gounders.
NADARS: Nadars, a trading community, have a strong presence in commerce and politics. Community leaders cut across parties and have been effective in leveraging their economic success into political influence.
In 1921, the Nadar community established The Nadar Bank Limited, which was later renamed the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank in 1962. Nadars also control the firecracker production in Shivakasi.
The most prominent Nadar in Tamil Nadu political history is K Kamaraj, a veteran Congressman and the former Chief Minister.
Along with Hindu Nadars, Christian Nadars also are a significant presence in state institutions and power centres. A relatively smaller community, their population is estimated at around 4% to 6%. They are mainly located in southern Tamil Nadu.