Vijay’s cabinet and the transformation of social justice politics in Tamil Nadu
By choosing institutional inclusion over mere rhetoric, the TVK-led coalition government breaks the six-decade DMK-AIADMK duopoly to structurally redefine representation and social justice politics in Tamil Nadu The formation of the new Tamil Nadu government under the leadership of C Joseph Vijay marks a significant moment in the political history of the State. For nearly six decades, Tamil Nadu’s political landscape was dominated by the alternating rule of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Both parties consistently projected themselves as inheritors of the Dravidian movement and champions of social justice. Yet, despite the ideological centrality of equality, anti-caste politics, and representation in Tamil Nadu’s political discourse, the structure of political power often remained limited in its inclusiveness. The emergence of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led coalition government, therefore, represents more than an electoral transition. It signals an attempt to redefine the grammar of governance through broader social representation, coalition-based participation, and the redistribution of institutional power to historically marginalised communities. A Historic Moment in Dalit Representation : One of the most remarkable aspects of Vijay’s cabinet is the unprecedented representation accorded to Dalit communities. For the first time in Tamil Nadu’s history, the cabinet includes eight ministers from Dalit communities in a 35-member Tamil Nadu Cabinet. This development acquires even greater significance when placed within a historical context. Successive governments led by both the DMK and the AIADMK often projected themselves as defenders of social justice, yet Dalit representation within the cabinet rarely crossed symbolic limits. Even in the outgoing DMK government, the number of Dalit ministers reportedly rose to four only after cabinet reshuffles. By contrast, the present cabinet has elevated Dalit representation to an unprecedented level, not merely numerically but institutionally. Dalit ministers have been entrusted with portfolios that influence education, ideology, social policy, and long-term governance. This shift matters because representation in democratic systems is not only about visibility; it is fundamentally about access to decision-making power. Political theorists of social justice have long argued that meaningful democracy requires historically excluded communities to participate in shaping institutions, rather than merely appearing within them symbolically. In this sense, Vijay’s cabinet marks a transition from token representation toward participatory representation. Education and the Politics of Historical Repair : Among the most symbolically significant appointments in the cabinet are those of Rajmohan and P Viswanathan, leaders from Dalit communities who have been entrusted with the School Education and Higher Education portfolios, respectively. The importance of these appointments cannot be overstated. For centuries, oppressed communities in India were systematically denied access to education, literacy, and intellectual authority under the caste hierarchy. Education functioned not merely as a site of learning, but as a mechanism through which social power was monopolised. The allocation of education ministries to leaders from historically oppressed communities, therefore, carries profound political meaning. It represents a reversal of historical exclusion and a form of democratic correction. These appointments symbolise a structural shift in governance: those who understand the lived experience of exclusion are now responsible for shaping educational policy and institutional access for future generations. Such representation extends beyond electoral arithmetic; it touches the moral foundations of social justice itself. The move also reflects a broader understanding of social justice, one that seeks not merely redistribution of welfare, but redistribution of institutional authority. Women’s Representation and Gender Inclusion : Another major milestone in the new cabinet is the inclusion of four women ministers, the highest number in Tamil Nadu’s history. While four women in a cabinet of thirty-five cannot yet be described as adequate gender parity, the development nevertheless marks an important beginning. Tamil Nadu’s political system has historically witnessed strong women leaders at the top, yet women’s broader participation within executive governance has often remained limited. The inclusion of four women ministers, therefore, represents an institutional acknowledgement that political representation must expand beyond caste inclusion alone. Social Justice also means to address intersections of caste, gender, class, and minority identity. In this respect, the present cabinet attempts to broaden the social composition of governance and establish a precedent that future governments may be compelled to follow. Minority Representation and Inclusive Governance : The cabinet has also ensured representation for religious minorities, reinforcing the coalition’s attempt to present itself as secular and socially inclusive. The induction of representatives from religious minorities group reflects an effort to incorporate minority voices into governance rather than keeping them confined to electoral alliances alone. This approach becomes particularly significant in an era where majoritarian politics increasingly shape national political discourse. By incorporating minorities within executive governance, the coalition signals that democratic legitimacy depends on participation across social and religious communities. Such inclusion also strengthens the idea that secularism is not merely a constitutional principle but an administrative practice. Coalition Politics and the Redistribution of Power : Perhaps the most transformative feature of the present government is its embrace of coalition politics and power-sharing. For decades, Tamil Nadu politics operated through centralised party structures dominated by a single political formation. Alliance partners often remained electorally useful but politically peripheral. While coalition parties contributed to electoral victories, they were rarely given substantial participation in governance. The present government departs from that model. For the first time in fifty-nine years, the Indian National Congress has become part of the Tamil Nadu government through direct power-sharing. This is historically significant not merely because Congress ministers are included, but because it marks the return of coalition governance in a state long characterised by dominant-party politics. The inclusion of alliance partners within the cabinet reflects a broader democratic principle: political support must translate into institutional participation. This development also exposes a long-standing criticism directed at earlier Dravidian governments, namely, that while they relied on coalition arithmetic electorally, they seldom shared governance meaningfully with alliance partners. Vijay’s approach appears to challenge that tradition by institutionalising coalition participation rather than limiting alliances to electoral arrangements. The Significance of VCK’s Inclusion : The inclusion of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) in the
Rahul Gandhi says Dalits will have central role in Congress party
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that Dalits will now play a central role within the party, attributing the emergence of caste-based regional parties to the Congress’s own policies in previous decades. Addressing a meeting of the party’s Scheduled Castes Department at Congress headquarters on January 26, Rahul Gandhi said that if the Congress had taken appropriate measures for Dalits during the 1980s and 90s, caste-based regional parties would not have emerged nor would Dalits have gravitated towards them. Sources present at the meeting reported that Rahul Gandhi praised BSP founder Kanshi Ram for uniting the Dalit community and instilling self-confidence within them. He remarked that the BJP is simultaneously seeking to dismantle regional parties and stripping Dalits of their rights, leading to an increase in atrocities against Dalits. Rahul Gandhi affirmed that the Congress will champion Dalit rights and fulfil the dreams of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, asserting that Dalits will occupy a pivotal position in the party. Just a year ago, Rahul Gandhi had publicly acknowledged that the Congress had neglected the OBC community, offering an apology. Now, he has expressed a similar sentiment concerning the Dalit community. Through these efforts, Rahul Gandhi appears to be strengthening Congress’s position among Dalit and backward communities. During the recent Lok Sabha elections, he held rallies displaying the Constitution, alleging it was under threat during the Modi government’s tenure. This strategy is widely believed to have contributed to electoral gains for the Congress and the INDIA alliance among Dalit voters. Rahul Gandhi has also advocated for a caste census regarding the OBC category. Collectively, these initiatives helped double the Congress party’s seat count in the Lok Sabha. With the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi is intensifying outreach towards Dalit and backward classes. Last week, in his Raebareli constituency, he unveiled a statue of Dalit freedom fighter Veera Pasi and addressed a Bahujan Sabha. The previous day, Rajendra Pal Gautam, Chairman of the Congress party’s Scheduled Castes Department, unsuccessfully attempted to meet Mayawati at her residence in Lucknow. It remains to be seen how effective Rahul Gandhi’s strategy of acknowledging past Congress shortcomings on Dalit issues and assigning Dalits a central role will be, with results expected to emerge during the elections. Courtesy : The News Mill Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsmill.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress govt accommodated Dalits in key posts: TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud
Mahesh Goud said the Chevella Declaration was fully implemented, adding that Dalit leaders were given the Speaker’s post and four Cabinet berths. KAMAREDDY: Hitting back at BRS leader T Harish Rao for claiming injustice was being done to Dalits, TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Tuesday said that the Congress has accommodated leaders from those communities in key posts, including as the Assembly Speaker. Responding to Harish’s statement made earlier in the day that the Congress had deceived the SC and ST communities by failing to fulfil the promises mentioned in its Chevella Declaration, Mahesh Goud said: “It was fully implemented. Besides the Speaker’s post, four Cabinet berths were also allotted to Dalit leaders.” Speaking at a dharna organised by the Lambada Hakkula Porata Samithi (LHPS) at Indira Park in Hyderabad, Harish said that the protest was not just a demonstration but a battle for the self-respect of Lambada and other tribal communities. “Successive Congress governments ignored the demands of Lambadas,” he said. Reacting to this, the TPCC chief said: “It was the previous BRS government which removed a Dalit deputy CM from the state Cabinet. The BRS speaking about Dalits is like the devil preaching gospel.” Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
CM Siddaramaiah convenes Cabinet breakfast amid speculation over Karnataka leadership change
Meeting comes after Delhi talks with Congress leadership and reports of a possible transition in Karnataka. Amid mounting speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to convene a breakfast meeting of his Cabinet colleagues at his official residence in Bengaluru on Thursday morning, official sources said. The meeting assumes significance amid reports that Siddaramaiah could step down from the Chief Minister’s post, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over. Shivakumar reportedly altered his travel plans and is expected to return early from Delhi on Thursday morning to attend the meeting. He had earlier been scheduled to return to Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon. Speculation over a leadership transition gathered pace following reports that the Congress high command had urged a change in leadership in the State and offered Mr. Siddaramaiah a role at the Centre in the party organisation along with a Rajya Sabha berth. Reports suggested that the Chief Minister had not immediately accepted the proposal. According to sources, Siddaramaiah may have decided to step down after receiving a message directly from Rahul Gandhi. The Chief Minister had repeatedly stated that he would relinquish office if asked to do so by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. However, the Congress on Tuesday dismissed reports of a leadership change as “mere speculation” and maintained that discussions between the party’s central and State leadership in Delhi had focused solely on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had been summoned to Delhi on Tuesday, where they participated in a series of meetings at the Congress headquarters with Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala. The Chief Minister returned to Bengaluru late on Tuesday night along with some Cabinet colleagues and is learnt to have held closed-door meetings with Ministers after his arrival. Siddaramaiah is scheduled to attend events in Bengaluru on Wednesday to mark the death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, including a programme at the State Congress office and a tribute at his statue near Vidhana Soudha. No other official engagements are listed in his schedule for the day. There are also reports that Venugopal and Surjewala may travel to Bengaluru shortly. Supporters of Shivakumar have renewed demands for his elevation, citing a reported power-sharing arrangement reached after the Congress secured victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. The leadership question within the ruling party has intensified since the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term in November 2025. Following the Congress victory in May 2023, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were contenders for the Chief Minister’s post before the party leadership named the former as Chief Minister and the latter as Deputy Chief Minister. Though reports at the time suggested a “rotational chief minister formula” under which Shivakumar would assume office after two-and-a-half years, the arrangement has never been officially confirmed by the party. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Jana Nayagan’ in capital to meet PM Modi, FM Sitaraman today
Vijay is scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi at 4.30 pm to discuss a range of issues concerning the state. NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will come to New Delhi on Wednesday in his first trip to the national capital since assuming office earlier this month. Vijay is scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi at 4.30 pm to discuss a range of issues concerning the state. During the meeting, Vijay is likely to submit a memorandum outlining the state’s demands, including allocation of funds for welfare and infrastructure projects, clearances for developmental initiatives, the Mekedatu issue and implementation of PM Shri scheme. He is also likely to meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and seek financial support for ongoing projects and key inter-state issues affecting the state. Vijay is also expected to meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. According to the tentative schedule, the CM will return to Chennai on May 28. Vijay, founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), took oath as CM on May 10 after leading his party to victory in the TN polls held on April 23. Satheesan meets Modi in Delhi, seeks package Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Karnataka power tussle: Siddaramaiah agrees to quit
Siddaramaiah seeks Governor’s appointment at 2 pm on Thursday, calls CLP meeting the following day; no clarity yet on successor though Deputy CM Shivakumar is the front-runner. NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah late on Tuesday night agreed to step down, confirmed sources privy to the marathon meetings held earlier in the day in New Delhi. Although Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is the front-runner for the CM’s post, no decision has been taken on who would succeed him nor on when Siddaramaiah would tender his resignation as chief minister. But sources said Siddaramaiah has sought time to meet Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot at Lok Bhavan on May 28 at 2 pm, and called for the Congress Legislature Party the following day. AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, are scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Sources informed this newspaper that senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked Siddaramaiah to step down to resolve the prolonged tussle between him and Shivakumar. They said the CM agreed after a late evening huddle with MLAs supporting him. Shivakumar had been insisting that the high command hand over the CM’s post to him, based on an agreement of sharing two-and-a-half years that he is said to have struck with Siddaramaiah after the party came to power in the 2023 Assembly polls. The half-way mark arrived in November last year, but Siddaramaiah refused to yield. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi on Monday, where Rahul is said to have told the CM that the party wanted the transition to take place smoothly. However, Siddaramaiah sought time to respond to the high command’s suggestion that he move to the Rajya Sabha to play a “larger role” at the national level, according to sources. After marathon meetings — from 11.35 am to 6 pm — a visibly upset Siddaramaiah huddled with his coterie of cabinet colleagues at Karnataka Energy Minister K J George’s New Delhi residence and conveyed the message of the high command to them. He agreed to step down after this meeting, sources said. No wonder, Shivakumar and his supporters looked upbeat. Siddaramaiah was carrying a letter of support by 100 party MLAs (Congress has 134 of 224 seats in the assembly) to convince the high command about his support. Sources said he will hold a meeting with all these MLAs at George’s Bengaluru residence on Wednesday. The day saw a series of meetings attended by Rahul, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Venugopal and Surjewala. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were consulted separately at the party headquarters. Following the discussions, Rahul and Venugopal are said to have briefed senior leader Sonia Gandhi on the meetings, before having a closed-door meeting with Siddaramaiah where he offered the latter a larger role at the national level, while asking him to step down as CM. For the record, Venugopal dismissed all talk on change in leadership as mere speculation. Asked if there was any discussion on leadership change, Siddaramaiah, too, said “No”. On a possible cabinet reshuffle, the CM said, “It did not come up for discussion.” If not DKS: Who’s in race “The Congress high command could go in for a complete makeover of the party in the state and appoint a young, dynamic leader with a clean image to lead the party in the 2028 assembly elections,” sources said Byre Gowda: Chart topper The name of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda is on the top, besides Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development MB Patil. Both have a clean image and are known for their good work Preetha Nair, Bala Chauhan, Naushad Bijapur, Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Daughter’s wedding procession stopped, wedding held in police presence: Some villagers accused of bullying and abusive language, police filed a complaint
A case of stopping a daughter’s wedding procession and disrupting the wedding has come to light in Hoshiyapur village, in the Patti Kotwali area. The victim, Gayatri Devi, has filed a complaint with the police, accusing some villagers of bullying, abusive language, and stealing cash and other items. The wedding took place in the presence of Dial 112 police. According to Gayatri Devi, wife of Suresh Kumar, a resident of Hoshiyapur, her daughter’s wedding procession was arriving at her doorstep on Monday night. It is alleged that at around 1 a.m., some villagers stopped the DJ and the wedding party on the way. They did not allow the procession to reach the house. When the victims protested, the accused began abusing and disrupting the wedding ceremony. When the situation escalated, Dial 112 police were immediately informed. The police arrived at the scene as soon as they received the information. Somehow, the marriage rituals were completed and the wedding vows were solemnized in the presence of the police. The woman also alleged that some people stole cash and other items during the incident. On Tuesday, the victim reached the Patti police station and submitted a petition demanding action against the accused. Based on the complaint, the police have begun investigating the case. Police station in-charge Anandpal Singh stated that the case is being investigated based on the victim’s complaint. Shivakant Pandey | Belkharnath Dham (Pratapgarh), Pratapgarh Courtesy: Hindi News
Nine-year-old Dalit girl gang-raped by two minors in Ballia
The accused, aged between 11 and 12 years and known to the victim, allegedly lured her and sexually assaulted her. The complaint further alleges that caste-based slurs were used during the incident. A nine-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped by two minor boys in the Haldi area of Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. An FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by the girl’s father, a resident under the jurisdiction of Haldi Police Station. According to the complaint, the incident took place on the evening of May 23 while the child was grazing goats outside her village. The accused, aged between 11 and 12 years and known to the victim, allegedly lured her and sexually assaulted her. The complaint further alleges that caste-based slurs were used during the incident. Bairia Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Fahim Qureshi confirmed that a case was registered on Monday against the two juveniles under Section 70(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to gang rape. The charges also include provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim has been sent to the District Women’s Hospital for medical examination. Police officials said that further procedures, including recording the girl’s statement, are currently underway. Courtesy : NAI Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsarenaindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
This Rajasthan MP’s heart melted at the plight of tribals, expressing his pain in his post!
Bharat Adivasi Party MP Rajkumar Roat also targeted CM Bhajanlal Sharma’s visit, prompting a BJP cabinet minister to retort, “What did Roat do for the region during his tenure as MLA and MP?” New Delhi – Rajkumar Roat, MP from Banswara-Dungarpur, Rajasthan, has once again raised questions about the current system by writing an emotional post about the ground reality of the country’s tribals. Citing a shocking video shared on social media, MP Roat wrote that when he raises the plight of 140-150 million tribals in Parliament, many people ask him, “What era are you talking about? Now the country is going to become a world leader.” “The pain of being deprived of forests and land” In his post, Roat clarified that tribals only want to see paper claims in the name of development, while their existence is actually under threat on the ground. Describing the plight of women from tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, Rath wrote, “This picture is from our own country, India. This is the same India where leaders talk about ‘tap in every home and water in every tap’ and where respect for women is loudly spoken about.” He said that women are forced to risk their lives to extract water from deep wells 2-3 kilometers away from their homes. The MP further wrote, “Despite these adverse circumstances, the tribal people of this country do not expect much from the government. They simply want their forests and land not to be taken away in the name of development. Development for tribal people has occurred only on paper, while the situation on the ground remains the same. In the eyes of governments, development is defined as allocating land to industrialists for mining, setting up factories, and exploiting resources in tribal areas. Meanwhile, tribal people who talk about good education, health facilities, protecting forests and land, and implementing tribal culture, history, and constitutional rights are considered anti-development or anti-national. Currently, TV channels and street billboards portray the country’s development model, but the ground reality is completely opposite. Break free from false dreams and see, understand, and experience the struggles of tribal, Dalit, and poor people living in remote areas of the country.” Roat accused governments of exploiting tribals by granting land to industrialists for mining, while those who advocate for education, health, and constitutional rights are labeled anti-development. It is noteworthy that prior to this post, Roat had sharply criticized Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s recent visit to Banswara. Roat alleged that the Chief Minister’s Dungarpur-Banswara visit proved to be a mere drama. The public was not even allowed entry into the night Chaupal. People waited for hours outside the administrative wall. The Chaupal was only for those who already had everything. The elected MLA of Chaurasi sought time through the Collector and CMO, but he was denied that. When even a public representative is avoided, who will listen to the tribal farmer who walked miles? Those whose lands were submerged and displaced by the Mahi-Kadana Dam have not received irrigation water to date, and now they are planning to divert the Mahi-Anas water 700 kilometers from the Scheduled Area. This criticism immediately sparked a political firestorm. Tribal Area Development Minister Babulal Kharari hit back at Roat, saying, “Rajkumar Roat’s political ground is slipping, so he is making baseless statements to the public. He was an MLA for five years and is now an MP, but what has he done for the development of the region? He should answer to the public.” Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
A massive tribal crowd gathered in Delhi, demanding the removal of converts from the ST list.
A grand conference of millions of tribals was held in Delhi, with a strong demand being raised to exclude converts from the ST quota. New Delhi: A massive gathering of millions of tribals from across the country was witnessed in the national capital, Delhi. The occasion was the “Tribal Cultural Confluence,” where, along with a unique glimpse of indigenous culture, a major demand was also raised. During this, a call was raised to exclude from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category those who have abandoned their original faith and adopted another religion. This grand event was organized by the “Tribal Security Forum,” affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This historic event was held to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the great tribal leader Birsa Munda. Representatives from more than 550 tribal groups from various states participated in this massive gathering near Delhi Gate. People wore their traditional costumes and presented captivating cultural performances, conveying a sense of connection to their roots. Along with this, important issues related to tribal identity, constitutional rights, and the protection of indigenous customs were also highlighted through marches and public demonstrations. The most prominent demand during this conference was for an amendment to Article 342 of the Constitution. The protesters stated that the ST status of those who have abandoned traditional tribal beliefs and converted to other religions should be revoked with immediate effect. The protesters argued that such converts are taking double advantage of the system. They are taking full advantage of the benefits provided to minority communities as well as the reservations meant for Scheduled Tribes. Several speakers addressing the gathering expressed deep concern. They stated that conversions are gradually leading to the erosion of tribal traditions, customs, and cultural identity. To address this, they called for an immediate review of the existing constitutional framework governing ST status. The organizers and thousands of participants unanimously clarified that their demand was not aimed at any particular religion. Its sole purpose was to protect their indigenous heritage, community rights, and culture. Overall, the event was a unique confluence of cultural celebration and a strong political message. Tribal groups from across the country united to deliver a strong and clear message demanding policy changes related to their identity and constitutional protection. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News