Thevars to observe fast for Pasumpon statue

Tiruchirapalli, Jul 3: Members of the Tamil Nadu Thevarkula Kootamaippu (Federation) will observe a token fast here on July 14 to draw the State Government's attention to their long-pending demand of installing a statue of freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar in the city.

Addressing a press conference here last night, Federation President S Shanmugaiah Pandiyan said that despite repeated pleas, the State Government had not come forward to install the statue. In fact, the Government and the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation had allotted place for the purpose, but there was no follow up measure, he added.

He wanted the Tamil Nadu Government to declare Kallar, Maravar and Agamudaiyar castes as Thevar community and include them under the Most Backward Classes list.

Mr Pandiyan urged the Union and State Governments to delete the Public Civil Rights (PCR) Act from the Indian Penal Code, as it was misused by a section of the society.

He requested the Election Commission to do away with the reserved constituency system in the country to pave way for eradication of the caste system.

UNI