Chennai: Tamamuk President John Pandian made a furious comment pointing out that an English newspaper referred to a student from Ramanathapuram as a Dalit who scored 499 out of 500 marks in Tamil Nadu’s 10th class public examination.
Tamilnadu 10th class exam results released two days ago. In this state level 3 candidates secured 499 marks out of 500 and stood first. Kavya Janani, a student from Kamudi, Ramanathapuram district, is one of them. Many political party leaders and academics are praising him.
Meanwhile, an English newspaper published a news about this, stating that a Dalit student has won first place at the state level. Tamil Nadu People’s Development Association President John Pandian strongly condemned this. In his statement, he said, “I read the news about the results of class 10 in an English newspaper. In it, Kavya Janani, a Ramanathapuram student who scored 499 out of 500 marks, was referred to as a Dalit, and I felt deeply saddened.
What is the need to identify that student as a Dalit in the news, who has succeeded with her talent and hard work? In 1982, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a circular asking Scheduled Castes in state and central government departmental jobs not to be referred to as Dalits. This message is still documented today. It also appeared in many magazines.
But even today the word Dalit is being used in the English press of the same press company. The tyranny of identifying Devendra caste workers with the word Dalit still continues. It is reprehensible to continue to use the word even though Devendra clan members do not like it.
Also, the question arises as to whether that particular English magazine is acting with a kind of malice. The press company should stop this trend. And I strongly inform you that if this continues, you will be subject to legal action,” John Bandian said.
