IDEOLOGY OF PATTALI MAKKAL KATCHI -...
Transcript of IDEOLOGY OF PATTALI MAKKAL KATCHI -...
CHAPTER - IV IDEOLOGY OF PATTALI MAKKAL KATCHI
An ideology is a belief system or ideas, chardcteristics of d person
or a group or a party etc., especially as form~ng the basis of an economlc
or socinl or political r!7rtern.' Generally ideologies rrndnate iwtu.rtv .In\,
two reference groups where in one group enjoys t h r social or econoniit or
political benefit of the society more than its contribution to thrb helfdr~. of
the society, and the other group feels deprived of the sdnie tvnefits,
7 while contributing to the welfare of the societ\. much more.* In c,oursc> of
time, a charismatic leader or a powerful orgdnisation chdnipions,
the cause of the oppressed. The basis of espousing thr' 1-ailst*
forms an ideology. For the ledder of CI pdrt\? orgcinisntion
which champions the cause of a socinll\~ hackward [ ~ n d
economically exploited group, a thorough invest~gd tion of the
1. Epstein, L.D. 1 Partiesew Yorh :
1967, p.106.
2. Converse, P.E. 'The Nature Belief S\~stenis of hlass Publ~cs' Dav~d
Apter (Ed) Ideolop;\l and Discontent, Kew. York : Free Press, 1965,
pp.206-261.
history of such group is e s~en t i a l .~ The causes for i t s backwardness
have to be analysed . A solution to eliminate the sufferings of the group
has to be proposed. In this process, a clear cut dnd h.ell defined ideolog\.
emerges. In Tamil Nadu the people are generdll! divided ~ n t o thrw
categories. They are namely 1. Forward Castes, 2. Rackh-ard Classes,
3. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. Out of these three categor~es
the Forward Castes are naturally sound in wealth and education. 'I'hc!
drc socialI\~ and economicallv well advanced. As d result. the\. 'in1 dblc to
enter the government service very easil!. by dint of their merit, without
dnv s t~tutory privileges or concessions. The schecl ulcd caste nnd
scheduled tribes are socially backward and ec~nornic~~ll!, e\ploitt.cl
communities. They lack education and wenlth. Sn the\. could not tanter
government service. But Dr. Anlhedkdr taught for their cdustl dnd
brought about many changes in the constitution. The\ <ire glvcn muc11
concessions and privileges. Under the reservation sten^ en^, the. art. ablt~ to
get government jobs. But the second category of the pt~ople ionipr~sing
nearlv 213 castes lack both education and wedlth. C)f ldte d certain section
3. Thandavan. R. All India Anna Drd\,~dc~ Alunnetra Kazhn~dn~ :
Political Dvnamism in Tamil Nadu, Tdmil N n d u Acadenl! of
Political Science, Madras,l987, p.7
121
of the group got concessions from the Government and pushed the
others to the rear4 Vanniyar Communih was one among the other
communities listed in the Backward class. PMK under the dl nanuc
leadership of Dr. S. Ramadoss lughlighted hok soclal jusbcc wds dcn~ td
to the Backward classes for the last for0 vears. Its maln alm 1s not on\\ to
uplift the Vannlya community but all the oppressed hdck~ard cldsses,
and m~nority people. A detailed analysls of thc ~ d e o l o p ot PhlK would
provide clues for better understanding. The ideolog~es of P h l K art3
class~f~ed into two namely 1. Social ldeologv 2. Eronom~c ldeologr .
SOCIAL IDEOLOGY
EDUCATION
The Social Ideology of PMK aims at provid~ng educ-dt~on to thc
community, women's liberation, introduction of prohih~tion, elimination
of untouchabilitv, reservation, separation of relig~on froni politics and
settling of language issue in judicious and nmicdble manner. Education
wakes up slumbering people. PMK stands for providing compulson.,
secular and free education to all up to 15 of dge. The founder of
4. The Election Manifesto of PMK, 1st Xovember, 1989.
122
PMK laments on the fact that though it h a s prov~ded In Arhcle 45 of the
Indian consititution that compulson~ and free educat~on h as to be glven
to all u p to 14 years of age within a per~od of ten \'ears, ~t has not
materialised so far. It is unfortunate that the Bdchhdrd clas5es rcmdln
uneducated and ill-treated to a larger e ~ t e n t . ~ So, P11K demands thdt
the major portion of income of the Government should ht- sptmt hmith
a view to providing primary education to maximum number ot people.
Even the nursery schools should be totall\, run b\ thc C;o\~ernnlent. ?'he
dim of secondary education should be modified in order to rn'ihc one to
realise its potential so as to settle his life s u c ~ e s s t u l l ~ ~ . ~ Tht. c.olIrgitltc
educdtlon should focus on research and ~nnovdt~on In dlffcrent trclds
especially agriculture, industry, adrn~n~s t ra t~on , culturc dnd soc~al
ad\.nncement.7 PhlK is cogn~sant of the ne,thnp<sr* .~nd c\,ll\ of srlf
financing educational institutions . So it wants that t h e Govcrnnient
should take over all of them. Donation of nny hind d t an\- level shoultl not
be collected either in private or in Government institutions. Ph\ls~cal
5. Dinappuratchi ,Tamil Dail!,, dated 14th lull , 1989.
6 . Pattali Makkal Katchi K o l ~ a i Thittangal, ( A Specla1 Brouchure), Madras 1992, p.7
123
Education should be made a compulson. subject of stud\ for the
development of body and mind. Folk games lihe Chadugudu, Swimming
and Chilambam should be taught to males and f e rnd~rs .~
One of the main reasons for the back^ drdness ot the1 peoplc 15 t t ~ t
they were steeped in superstition and ignordnce. l'hlh: 1 4 s that thc onl\'
solution for the elimination of superst~tron dnd ril le\~~at~on ot
ignorance is the establishment of Peru ar Alnrl-.An1 bed har Lln~\ e r s ~ h
dnd dissemination of their ideals among the people.
The self respect movement and rat~onal~srn ot T-'cri\ ~ i r , ej;dl~tr~r~s~n
and socialistic pattern of society advocated h\ Iiarl 41rirx, thc \c*htlnicnt
attack on supershtion ignorance, ill~terac\ PI 11s ot t d s t ~ 5 \ sten1
launched by Ambedkar have profound rnflucnct~ on thc nillid of
Dr. S. Ran~adoss, the founder of PMK. Theretoro ht> felt t h t t ho riol3le
ldenls of these great personalihes, i f cdrrled to thc. mri5ses In thrvr rrght
perspective, would remedv the evils wldel\ pre~alent In our sot ~ e h and
pave the way for progress.
8. The Dindppuratchi Tamil Dail!., ddted 15th Tul\ , 1989.
123
LANGUAGE
As regards the language issue, PhlK IS ven. flrm on the
introducbon of mother tongue as the medlum of instruction d t dll le\,cls
compulsorily. The government should glve grdnts-~n-a~d and <ill
concessions only to those institutions which prov~de reg~onal Ic~nguclgc a \
the medium of instruction. 9
A situation has to be created that no one could y,et d dryrcc. ot '111
universih, without studying the regiondl Inngudgc. E.ngl~sh should not be
made a compulsory subject. Both English nnd IIindi dre to hc rnddtl
optiondl which the students should stud!, d t t h e ~ r own cost. As t d r thrl
minorities are concerned, they should be given CI ~ h ~ ~ ~ i c c to I m r n t l i t ~ r
language in addition to the state Ianguagcl only when the!, [lrc. in
considerable number. In accordance with this idcolop,!,, thc c~n t r t ' should
recognise all the state languages, so that ever! stat<, coul(i iontc~c.t thcl
Central Government and the other State Governmrnt through its o w n
ldnguage.10 PMK strongly believes th'lt the ;\r!.nn langungr S.inshr~t,
alien language English and North Indian Innguap,c> Hindi weigh hr~a\fil\,
on the Tamilians in various dimensions. The donlindtion of the Innguages
9. Election Manifesto of PMK, dated 1st Noven~ber, 1989.
10. w.
125
of Hindi or English over the culturall! and historicall\. based mother
tongue is nothing but sort of an erosion of the culture and heritdge of the
people. Hence PMK considers that the three language torniul'i men tinned
by the so called nationalists and the two langudgc. formula retr\rred to b\
the Dravidian parties would be impediments to the pri\.ilcges Iind
developments of the people. Therefore, the l ingu~s t~c pol~c\- of PhlK is a
policy of unitary policy a t the three levels naniel\. instructi~n~il Ilin!:udy,t.,
official language and associate language.'
In the election manifesto dated 20th Fcbrulir\, 1990, M ~ I I L h M ~ L ,
~ ssued bj. the PMK during the Pond~cherr\ Asseni bl\ elrctlons, 11 ~ r l s
categoricall!. declared that the entrdncc exanl~nat~on conduc tc.d to s c d r c I
students for professional courses should be scrapped ht~cnust~ thtl studtmts
from Backward and Scheduled classes d ~ d not tome up ver\ hell In t11~
entrance examinahon. It is also stated thnt tree bus pdss s l ~ o u l ~ i tw ~ I \ ~ C I I
to the students based on the incomr of the t h c ~ r parents In t h ~
appointment of Principals to the colleges pnonh should tx> given to
Backwdrd classes and Adl-Dravidas. The teacher student ratlc~ should hcb
changed with a view to enhancing the standard of teachlns-lt>arnlnp,.
11. Pattali hlakkal Katchi Kolnai Thittannal, op.cit, p.15
12. Election Manifesto of PMK, dated 20th Februar!, 1990.
126
Ph4K exhorts on the filling up of vacancies immediately in the educationdl
institutions. The Payment of Universit\, Grdnt Commission scales ot pa\.
to the colleges teachers was stronglv advocated h\. PhlK in the election
manifesto. In short, the ultimate aim of the educdiondl ~deolog! of T'hll;
is to enhance the standard of education and its populdrisdtion dnlong thc
backward classes and ~ d i - ~ r a v i d a s . ' ~
RESERYATION
Reservation in education and emplovment to sociallv neglected
and economically exploited communities has kconic absolutrlv essential
and inevitable in the caste based rigid lndian sociehl, lust ds I'rddc LLnion
rights are considered to be democratic rights of the workers in ~ . ~ i p ~ t a l ~ s t
socieb, reservation on the basis of caste for the oppressed nir~lorih ot thc
people is also a democratic right in the cdstc based Ind~c~n 5ocicgr.
I demdnds that the reservation for Schtdulcd cdstr <ind
Scheduled Tribes should be 20% and for Bachh.drd and L\lost
Backward classes 70% and for other For\\fCird clitsse\ 10%. I4
13. Election Manifesto of PMK, dated 2 n d Februdr!., 1990.
14. b id .
127
PMK would strive hard to get the resenation on the same ratio at the
state level and at the Central level. The implementation of the hlandal
Commission report should be on adhoc basis. PhlK stresses that the
reservation policy should be put into effect not onl\. In C;o\,crnrntnt
service but also in private local body institutions cind self t~rianc~ng
institutions. The reservations should be made leeall\. teasible accordln~,
to the rdtio of population of the respective caste. \I1hilr ~niplt~nienting tht>
reservation policy in education and employment, a p r t troni thc Gcncral
c~udlifications the following considerations must alsc) be tdhr;an into
account a) People from the rural arras b) L,o~.er income groups
c) Education through mother tongue dtleclst upto ti~gher st.c.ondc~rv
education d) Lnter-Caste married peoplc e ) those ~ ' h o undc>r~,t.nt tnniil\,
planning operations f ) Orphans. 15
In the election manifesto proclainied dur~ng I'ondrcht~rr\ cis~em hl!.
elections 1990 PMK highlighted the need for giifing considcr~tion to the)
families of freedom fighters,widows etc. So reservation polic.!, should
continue until the socio economic conditions of the bdchM,drd cldsse!, <ind
Xdi-Dravidas and the minorities are uplifted.
15. Election Manifesto of PhIK, dated 24th Februdr! , 1990.
198
RELIGION
As far relegion is concerned Ph.IK stands for secularism ,tnd
advocates complete seperation of religion from pol1t1c.s. \I'hilc. d stdte
should recognise and protect the rights of the people for protc~ssing arrcl
practicing the religion of their choice, it should not nssocidte itself with 'i
particular religion. Religion should be an ind i\,id unl concern. I 'hlk:
condemns communal riots and religious rivdlries mci c-ldshtd In thr. ncinie
of rights for worship. It wants to abolish the rights of an\ one) to hC~\' i> the
weapons in the name of religion. It pleads thr m~norih- r r l~g~ous groups
not to oppose any nation-wide scheme in the interest of generdl ~e l td rc .
It recognises the propagation against religious autocrcic\ . Ib
SOCIETY
The most notable evils widelv prevalent In thta J ani l l sot 1(1t1 drcl
\\ omen's slavenr, untouchabllitv soclal strat~f ~cnt~on on th(> hasls ot b~rth
dnd poverty. The main objechve of PhlK 1s Lht crnd~cat~on of c ~ l l the \oc~~tl
evils and the establishment of egalitarian soc~eh . Unless thc. d~fferenr es
between the oppressed classes of the soc~eh cind the proletarlnt
are wiped out, a s e n s e of u n ~ h and romm undl
16. Interview with Dr.S. Ramadoss, the founder of PhlK on 20th May, 1990.
129
harmony among the various classes of the Tamil societ) could not t.rp
achieved. Therefore PMK endeavours eliminating the differences among
the various oppressed classes namely Scheduled caste, Scheduled 'Tribe,
Backward classes and minorities. The most popular slogan of the pare. 1s
" We are neither slaves nor masters to an!. one ". IJAlI\; hns tnrn~cxi
coordination committees to achieve U n ~ h ot all the worh~ng c lass~s at
reg~onal level.
EIL4DICATION OF UNTOUCHABILITY
The founding father of PMK Dr. Ramado<< I'inients on tr~als and
tribulations imposed on the untouchables ~ . h i c h compt~llcd thtm to t i , ~ \ . t >
separate cemeteq., separate well, separate dw ell I ng place, scpira t c * p a tli
etc. This kind of segregation of pcoplc 1s not onl\ ~nhurndri
but also barbaric. PMK endeavours to ztr~vc for total
eradication of this barbdric practice. It hdnt5 t o rcnlovt5 thtb johs
clone by so called untouchables such as druni brxatinj;,rarr!.lng
the dead cattle, burning the corpses and cornpulsc>r\ cobbllngs. 1 Fi
Instead of employing the scdvengers to clcan thc toilets
modem sophsticated ones would be bu~lt . The scavengers would bt)
17. The Dinappuratchi, dated 20th November, 1989. 18. Pattali Makka] Katchi Scheduled hlakknlai En Adarikkd Vend urn?
(Tamil) A special pamphlet, Chennai : nindppuratchi Publishers, 1989, p.10
130
j:iven alternate jobs. They would also be protected from the harassment
of usurers. The system of untouchability continues partly because of
discriminatory system of separate students hostel for Backward class
students. PMK has decided to create common hostels for all students.
So the untouchability would be eliminated to a large extent. The birth
dn\, of Dr. An~bedkar would be declared as Government holiday. The
s\,stem of hereditdrv occupation perpetuates untouchability. So PhlK
\ ~ d n t s to get rid of these system. Restoration of the civil right to
hc- heduled people, formation of an autonomous scheduled \Yelfare Board
tor the upliftnient of Scheduled class and Scheduled Tribe people are
gl\en priorities in the planks of PL~K. '"
l o nchieve these ideals, PhlK works in collaboration with Prakash
qnlhtbdkar, the grandson of Dr. Babdsahib Ambedkar and with Indian
lirpubl~can part\. Theretorr PhlK exhorts the people to give up their
illttcrences and qudrrels for peth. redsons, and unite together to achieve
j ' ( i l l ! l~dj pO\\'Cr. 20
- . . - - - - - ......................................................................................
Thcl Dinnppuratchi, dated 19th Februar!., 1989.
7 , -I,!, The Dinappuratchi, dated 21st February, 1989.
WOMEN LIBERATION
The social ideology of PMK concentrates on the emancipation of
women from male domination. Joint family system, communal order and
social rigidities are the main stumbling blocks to the emergence of
separate identity of the ladies. The present social structure has not come
out of the conservative thinking. As such, the ladies are traditionally
under the control of the parents before marriage, under husband after
marriage and under son after the death of husband?' Women are not
given even the right to choose their life-partners. Women are treated
with contempt and as a means for sensual pleasures. PMK is determined
to get rid of this situation. So it gives much importance to women
education which alone could create a sense of independence and social
metamorphosis. The following steps are initiated by the party to elevate
the status of women.
d) Priority in admission of women in the party and proper training in
social and political activities.
b) Consistent propaganda to stress on their independence in choosing
their life partners.
-- - -----
21. Vannivar Sangam Ma~al i r Kalvi Valarchi hlaanattu Malar
( A special souvenir ) Madras : PMK, 1990, p.6
132
c) Agitation against sex violence and molestation.
d) Eradication of inequality between men and women in covert and
overt life; steps to develop self conscience, self reliance and self
thinking among women.
e) Agitation against the sex based segregation of School.
f) Campaign in support of widow remarriage and Rationalism.
2) Agitation for the protection of women's rights of inheritance and
economic rights.
t ) Reservation of 30% seats to women in Government and private
institutions.
i ) Formation of district wise homes for the destitute women and
grass- widows. Construction of toilet to women in cities, towns
and villages.
j ) Establishment of a women Welfare committee to probe into the
problems of women and make recommendations for the redress of
their grievances. 22
In the election manifesto of 1990 declared in connection with the
Pondichenl Assembly election, PhIK announced various welfare
measures for the ladies.
---I- --- - ------- 2. S. Kamala Kanthan, Makkal Murasu, dated 24th September, 1995.
133
The most notable among are:-
a) Establishment of a separate Welfare department at
Pondicheq which should be a model for other states to emulate. b) In
Government Employment and education 40% of seats are to be reserved
for the ladies. c) Whenever young widows come forward to remarry,
they should be given Rs.10,000/- as marriage grant d) A separate court
was to be set u p to enquire into the atrocities committed on women
especially dowry cases. e) The posters containing obscene and shameful
pictures of the ladies are to be banned. f ) The graduate ladies should be
appointed as village welfare officers, so that all the projects and plans of
the Government would reach the people without any pilferage. 23
The ladies are given priority in starting industries which would
cater to the basic needs of the people. 30% reservation for the ladies
would be allocated in the Police department with a suitable legislation.
Similarly encouragement was given for inter caste marriages. Similarly
10% of reservation was earmarked for the ladies in employment and
education.24 It is very painful to note that the widows are not allowed to
-------
23. The Election Manifesto of PMK, dated 21st February, 1990.
24. Ibid.
134
in any festival occasions whereas the widower is allowed to
%s practice is vehemently condemned by Dr. Ramadoss.
He discouraged people from getting or demanding dowry. He stresses
the equal inheritance laws are to be enforced without discrimination of
sex. The argument that the ladies would not respect their husbands when
they are more educated is baseless. No one likes that the ladies are being
treated with contempt and for publicity. Every year a ladies big
conference is being held at Poompugar during the Tamil month of Aadi.
The main purpose of the conference was to enhance social status of the
Idd ies. 25
MINORITIES WELFARE
PMK insists on a reall!. secular state. By Secularism, it means
separdtion of religion from politics. The Government should play the
role of a co-ordinator. Religious helieves and worship should be personal
dffair. The religious minorities should be given the congregational rights
ot worship at the house, temple, church and mosque. All kinds of
----------------I------------- ----------
35. Poompuhar Magdlir Conference ( A special Brochure) dated 5th
August, 1990.
135
communal riots in the name of the right to worship should be stopped.
.4 separate police wing to prevent communal riots should be
PMK exposes the fact that the Muslim community has not gained
nnvthing from the political parties for which the Muslims had voted in
lnrge number. All the impressive announcements and lucrative
roncessions announced by other political parties are aimed at gaining the
support and getting the vote of the Muslims. But in reality they have not
done seriously for the uplift of this Muslim religious minority. But PMK
is serious and sincere in its effort. It has not enrolled the Brahmins who
consider bluslims as aliens PMK gives adequate representation to the
hluslims at different organisational levels of the party. For example
R.hl. Hanifa an auto driver a descent of Gunam Gudi Masthan is elected
the Treasurer of the party. Many responsible post of the party in Districts,
'lowns, Unions and branch levels are given to the ~ u s l i m s . ~ ~ For the
benefit of for the welfare community PMK puts forth a ten point
programme.
--------- ------- ------------------------------- 26. Whv PMK should support Muslims?( A special bulletin ) Chennai :
Dinappuratchi Publishers, 1990, p.3
27. Ibid.
136
1. The Wakf Board would be placed under the control of a Muslim
1.A.S. Officer and the Muslim elders, who have got keen interest in the
welfare of the society.
2. A special committee would be constituted to confiscate the
exploited property of the Wakf Board by the rich people.
3. Proportional representation should be given to the linguistic
and religious minorities in all the departments of the Government
particularly in the h4ini~b-y~ Legislative Council, Education, Law,
Employment, Medicine etc.
4. As a result of the evils of dowry system, many Muslim women
of the marriageable age could not get suitable life-partners and as such
they remain unmarried. To redress their grievances, the Government
~ ~ o u l d give Rs.10,000/- as subsidy and Rs.15,000/- as long term loan to
3luslim Youth provided that they should come forward to marry without
down!.
5. Those Muslim Youth who obtain 'Alim' title would be given
Rs.300/- as unemployment dole till they get employment.
6. At present, only rich Muslims are able to perform Haj
pilgrimage. PMK wants to change the situation and help even poor
hluslims to undertake t h s holy pilgrimage. To begin with, every year
f i f q Alims would be selected from among the poorer section and
sponsored by the Government for Haj Pilgrimage.
137
7. In every district, committees for safeguarding the interest of the
minorities should be constituted.
8. The holy places and places of worship of the minorities would
he protected. Any attempt to politicise and communalise these issues by
anv political party or communal organisation would be challenged and
met by PMK.
9. PMK would protect the rights and concessions given to the
minorities in the constitution.
10. If PMK comes to power, the office of the Chief Minister and
Deputy Chief Minister would be given even to the minorities under
rotation system. It is unequivocally declared that PhlK is p re~a red to
make any sacrifice to implement the above ten point programme of the
n~inorities and thereby sought their co-operation and support to P M K . ~ ~
The social ideology of Ph4K comprises of health and hygiene
programmes. Establishment of separate university for the Tamil
Aledicine namelv siddha medicine and developing other medical system
like Homeopathy, Avurveda, Zjnani, Acupuncture etc. through this
university is given greater importance. Increasing the primary health
centres with modern facilities in rural areas is given prioriv.
28. The Election Manifesto of PMK, February, 1990.
138
Mobile health service is also felt essential. In every village, basic health
programme was announced. Accordingly, in every taluk head quarter
hospital, blood bank, X-Ray, ECG and other modem equipments are
to be established. Those medical physicians who stay in villages
should be given 10% additional pay with a view to encouraging medical
facilities in the rural area.29
PROHIBITION
P.M.K. is committed to total prohibition in the country. It is
determined to achieve this noble social ideology championed by
hlahatma Gandhi, and advocated by Annadurai in every possible way,
legal, educational and through consistant propaganda. It believes in not
only closing of liquor shops but also in complete eradication of illict
liquor, through stringent punishment and watchful vigilance.
Dr. Ramadoss strongly believes that the sooner the total prohibition is
introduced all over the country, the better for the common people. 30
MODERNISATION OF UNHYGIENIC WORKS
PMK condemns vehemently that man cleans and carries the excreta
of man. So it wants to modemise the system of scavenging and cleaning.
29. Pattali Makkal Katchi Kolaai Thittannal, ( A special Brochure), Madras, 1992, p.10
30. 1id.b
139
Those who are involved in this work would be given some alternative
occupations, so that they should not suffer.31
HOUSING BOARD DEPARTMENT
PMK is mainly concerned with the problem of basic amenities of
the people. So it wants to provide well built houses for all. The housing
hoard should provide regular houses for those who are living in slums.
House plots should be given free to the people living below the poverty
line. Patta pending for a long period is to be given immediately.
Similarly the government servants and employees in private concerns
should be given houses for which recovery would be made in easy
instalments. The land which is suitable for dwellings should be given to
the poor people at low cost for building their houses. 32
ECONOMIC IDEOLOGY
The Economic Ideology of P.M.K. aims at the establishment of
egdlitarian society. Therefore the Tiller soil Acts, Land ceiling Acts,
Elimination of Benami Land holding etc. are given greater importance.
The exploitation of poor agricultural workers by big land lords is
denounced vehemently. With a view to improving the condition of
- -----
31. The Dinamani, dated 5th April, 1996.
32. The Dinappuratchi, dated 21st February, 199C.
140
farmers and developing agriculture, modern scientific farming is strongly
advocated. Agricultural research, regulation of agricultural marketing
and fixation of prices for agricultural commodities are encourged.
The wages of women labourers should be fixed on the basis of the policy
of "equal work equal' pay". 33
In the industrial sector, nationalisation of all heavy industries from
the individuals without giving any compensation and finally reshaping
them according to the needs of the nation forms the basis of the industrial
policy of P.M.K. The ultimate aim is to establish a total socialistic pattern
of society. Till then, the co-opeartive department should function as a
stop-gap arrangement. 34
AGRICWTURE
P.M.K. demands that the land under the control of big land lords
has to be seized and given to those who actualljr work on the fields. The
right of the peasants over the land is to recognised. The most popular
slogan of P.h.I.K. in this context is "Tillers should be the land owners. 1135
33. Interview with S. Ramadoss, dated 20th May, 1990.
34. PMK Kol~ai Thittanval, op.cit, 12.22
35. The Dinappuratchi, dated 13th October, 1989.
141
At present, lands of big monasteries are in the hands of few individuals.
As per the records, they are the tillers of the soil. But actually they are
not So the slogan 'Land for the actual Tillers' should not be allowed to be
exploited by big land Lords. The lands of the mutts, temples,
churches, mosques and such religious institutions are to be confiscated
and be given to those who actually work in the field. Only that much of
land which is absolutely necessary for the maintenance of those religious
institutions would be allotted to them. Until the amassing of land by big
Land Lords is abolished, the rule of the working class and the eradication
of the caste system could never take place. So the following action plan
becomes necessary.
1. Recognising the Land ownership of the small peasants.
2. The Government run model co-operative farm where
dgriculturists are to work for eight hours.
3. The Government should help small scale Land owners to form
co-operative farms, when they come forward.
4. When new areas of land are brought under agriculture, co-
operative farming should be followed. 36
36. S. Kamala Kanthan, Makkal Murasu, dated, 2nd November, 1995.
142
This party shall struggle for the patching up of the loopholes in the
land ceiling Act and the Benami land abolition Acts and for the proper
renewal and implementation of the land ceiling acts region-wise.
Temples shall be maintained through the donations of devotees
and not for the dominant purpose of the Brahmins or religious priests.
Government itself shall meet the cost of the maintenance of only the
dncient monumental temples if the\, cannot be maintained through the
offerings.Lands acquired by this means shall be distributed among the
coolies and the poor farmers. 37
The urban land ceiling shall be extended to all municipalities and
to the Town Panchavat areas attached to them. Lands obtained through
this method shall be utilised for the welfare of the urban people. The
pdrtv shall strive to help the middle class people bs preventing the policy
of the sale of House-sites. 38
Fixation of the prices agricultural commodities like paddy,
sugdrcane and wheat is given top priority. It is insisted that while fixing
37. S. Kamala Kanthan, Makkal hilurasu, dated, 2nd November, 1995.
38. S. Kamala Kanthan, Makkal Murasu, dated, 24th October, 1995.
143
the prices, the cost of production should be taken into account as the basis
for such fixing. The representatives of the peasants, agricultural scientist
and the officals of agricultural department should be the members of the
committee meant for fixing the cost of the commodities. 39
The party shall endeavor to change the agricultural university and
agriculture functioning with the help of autonomous bodies. These
institutions shall be run on modern lines with the additional agricultural
experts. The party shall strive to bring about agricultural production
linked with traditional techniques 50% of the budgetary provisions of the
state and centre shall be year marked for agricultural development and
rural uplift. It has been observed that the foreign manufacturers of
chemical fertilizers, pesticides etc., get bounteous profit. So this should be
prevented by the modernisation of the traditional agriculture4o Similarly
the Ph3K will strive to determine vearly district-wise wage polic!.,
adequate to the agricultural labourers and implement it through the
people's security squad. It is stressed that in addition to the establishment
of rural banks at all places bureaucratic procedures shall to totnlly
erddicated for the prevention of exploitation of poor agriculturist b!f the
39. S. Kamala Kanthan, Makkal Murasu, dated, 24th October, 1995 40. The Election Manifesto of PMK, 1991.
1 44
business magnets and unscrupulous users. The allocation of fund for this
in the state budget shall be greatly increased. Moreover the party shall
work for the construction of poor godowns in each panchayat union area
functioning round the clock for storing agricultural produce. The parties
shall seriously prevent the conversion of wet lands into the residential
towns. The scheme of crop insurance to give compensation for loss in
dgricutural cultivation should be introduced. The party shall provide for
the sanction of pension to landless agricultural labourers beyond the age
of fif?y.41
In the election manifesto of 1990, it was proclaimed that if any
one engaged in agriculture dies, Rs.25,000/- would be given. On the
grounds of compassion, free electricig. should be given for small scale
dgriculturists.
INDUSTRIES
The industrial policy of PMK stresses on the
ndtiondlisation of all heavy industries from the
private individuals without giving any compensation and finally
reshaping them according to the needs of the nation.
---- ---
31. The Election Manifesto of PMK, 1991.
145
Only agriculture based industrial plan could help to remove
unemployment problem in the villages. In a country dependent on
agriculture only, the growth of the small scale industries could generate
employment opportunities. Small scale or medium industries should be
installed in every village, union and Taluk. It is industrial atrocity that
big industries like Tata iron industry have started producing even salt,
Buckets, etc. The right of any body to produce anything is being misused
and abused by the big capitalists. This should be prevented. Certain
commodities like match box, soap, tooth pastes, salt etc. should be
reserved only for rural people. The government should extend subsidy
and financial assistance to them. Industrial development in the co-
operative sector should be encouraged. 42
FIandlooms should be replaced by powerlooms. Without affecting
the interest of handloom weavers. Weaving colony should be setup and
reshaped as weaving industrial center. Co-operative societies should be
started for the fisher man who should be given the exclusive right of
fishing.43
- -------I__--------- -
42. Pattali Makkal Katchi Kolgai Thittangal, o ~ . c i t , p.21.
43. E. p.22
146
The system of individual production, selling and distribution
should be replaced by the system of Government production and
distribution. Co-operative buying and selling should be an intermediary
arrangement A11 the money lending should be replaced by co-operative
s!rrtem of banking.44 As a result the exploitation of the farmers by the
money lenders could be removed.
As per the new economic liberal policy proclaimed by the congress
Government under the leadership of the former Prime Minister
P.\'.Narasimha Rao, PMK strongly opposes the new liberal policy on the
ground that it would pave the way for the entry of foreign capital into
India-a quite unchecked and the consequent economic exploitation of our
nation.
The political ideology of the PMK focuses on the establishment of
popular sovereignty, decentralisation of powers democratisation of
bureaucratic institutions, recall of the elected representatives by the
people before the end of the term, safeguarding of the basic and
lmprescriptable civil rights of the people, granting of freedom to the
4.1. Pattali Makkal Katchi Kolgai Thittangal, op.cit, p.23.
147
multi-nationals emancipation of national racialilsm, recognition of Tamil
Elam, open declaration of the property of all those who are in. power,
confiscation of the illegally acquired properties of the corrupt people
ctc. 45
P.M.K. endeavours for the mobilisation of the people agdinst
obscene and vulgar films, posters, and literature. The art and literature
wh~ch exist today is dominated by the upper class and by the western
cdpitalist. It is realised that culture of our nation has its roofs in the
working class of the villages. So it is imperative to rejuvenate the old art
dnd sculpture. A cultural academy has to be established to give shape to
the cultural ideology of PMK. Competitions have to be conducted by the
Academy to develop Art and Literature. The ladies from the rural area
have to participate in large number. The central aim is to protect the
~nterests of Tamil Culture. The menfolk irrespective of caste and creed
should participate Ovilattam, dance and the women folk in kolattam and
kummi. As a result a kind of renaissance has to be initiated in Tamil rural - ArtS?6
. S. Kamala Kanthan, Makkal Murasu, dated 10th October ,1995.
46. S. Kamala Kanthan, Makkal Murasu, dated 24th November ,1995.
148
The ideology of PMK is aimed at uplifhng ' not only the
Vanniyar Community but all the oppressed backward classes and
minority people. It has many facets like social, political, economic and
cultural. The social ideology stresses on providing education to the
community, women's liberation, introduction of prohibition, elimination
of prohibition, elimination of untouchability, reservation, separation of
religion from politics and settling of Ianguage issue in peaceful manner.
The economic aspect of the ideology insists on the establishment of
egalitdrian society by giving more importance to the Tiller Soil Act, Land
Ceiling Acts and elimination of Binmu land holdings.
The political ideology of the party aims at the establishment of
popular sovereignty, democratisation of bureaucratic institutions and
decentralisation of powers. Preservation of Tamil culture is given greater
importance, as a part of its cultural programme. To popularise and
implement these Politico-Socio-Economic-ideas, the party organised a
number of conferences and launched a number of programmes.