Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami on Tuesday announced that the state government would constitute a committee to collect and examine caste data. The government has stated that such quantifiable data is required to fit the case against the 69% reservation in the Supreme Court.
This decision comes on the day when Pattali Makkal Katchi cadres held protest at the border area of Chennai City as they were stopped by the city police to prevent them from participating in the protest called by PMK leader Ramadoss demanding 20% exclusive reservation for the Vanniyar community, who dominant in north Tamil Nadu. Hundreds of PMK cadres blocked the roads connecting Chennai with all other districts and blocked roads and pelted stones at trains near Perungalathur.
Analysts say that the move by the government will counter the pressure mounted by them ahead of elections.