Following recent incidents of killing of Dalit men for relationships with caste-Hindu women, the People’s Welfare Alliance (PWA) has promised to enact a law to prevent honour killings in the state. The PWF manifesto also promised to end caste-based discrimination in preventing entry of Dalits into places of worship in the state.
“We will take firm measures to end untouchability that exists in different forms in Tamil Nadu. We will also uphold the right to worship of all people without any caste discrimination in all places of worship,” PWA coordinator and MDMK general secretary Vaiko said after releasing the alliance’s 80-page manifesto here.
CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan, CPI secretary R. Mutharasan and VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan were present. Vaiko said if the alliance is voted to power, it would enact a legislation to prevent ‘honour killings’.
In a novel idea to attract students, Vaiko said if the alliance forms the government, it would provide extra marks for students who plant trees to protect environment, separate houses for transgenders, policies to protect MSME sector and free mineral water, among others. Vaiko assured and added that minimum wages would be raised to Rs 18,000 per month.
The MDMK chief said milk and power charges increased by AIADMK government would be reduced by providing subsidy. Apart from promising waiver of all agricultural and educational loans, provision of free education and medication are among a slew of promises made by the alliance in its manifesto.