BJP Ally PMK's Manifesto Demands Parental Consent For Youth Marriages

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a political party in Tamil Nadu, has made a notable promise in its election manifesto. It aims to safeguard young women from deceit in love marriages by making it compulsory for individuals under 21 to obtain parental consent for marriage. This proposal is inspired by similar laws in countries like Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, and Brazil, and echoes sentiments previously expressed by the Karnataka High Court in India.

Election manifestos are crucial during Lok Sabha and legislative assembly elections, often sparking widespread discussion due to their promises. In Tamil Nadu, political parties focus their pledges on the welfare of the state, its language, and its people. Historically, these manifestos have significantly influenced election outcomes and led to major political shifts. The PMK, part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, released its manifesto with several key promises aimed at social and economic reforms.

Among the manifesto's highlights are the insistence on a caste-wise census in 2021 and efforts to remove the 50% cap on reservations following a Supreme Court verdict. The PMK plans to push for population-based reservations across India, including Tamil Nadu. It also proposes eliminating the creamy layer criterion in reservations for Other Backward Classes in Central government jobs and education.

The party has pledged to introduce a 33% reservation for women in education and employment and implement reservation policies in promotions within government and public sector departments. Additionally, it aims to extend reservations to the private sector and judiciary. A new Ministry of Backward Class Welfare is proposed to be established at the Central government level.

Further promises include removing Devendrakula Velalars from the Scheduled Caste list to provide them with separate reservations. The PMK intends to reserve significant portions of government jobs in Tamil Nadu for locals and enact legislation ensuring 80% of private sector jobs in the state are reserved for them as well.

The manifesto also addresses broader governance issues, advocating for a new commission to study the devolution of powers between Central and state governments. It seeks to return certain powers, including education, from the common list to the state list—a change made during the Emergency period. The PMK proposes allocating 50% of Central tax revenue to states and returning 50% of each state's contribution back to them.

Among other promises are efforts to establish a Supreme Court bench in Chennai, exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET for medical education, increase personal income tax exemption limits, and improve infrastructure such as widening National Highway 45.