By K K Ashraf
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM—The Welfare Party of India (WPI) held a massive protest in front of the Kerala state secretariat here on Wednesday, demanding caste census and proportional representation in government jobs.
Police made a bid to forcibly disperse activists blocking the secretariat gates, resulting in clashes.
Protesters, who came from across the state in thousands, criticized the Left Front government that implemented 10 percent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the general category but was opposed to caste census for proportional representation to OBC and others.
Protesters asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to clarify his stance on the caste census in Kerala. They expressed their disappointment over the Left-Front government’s reluctance to implement proportionate reservation in government jobs.
WPI State President Razak Paleri issued the ‘Thiruvananthapuram Declaration,’ demanding the Caste Census and proportional representation in government jobs in Kerala.
Welfare Party National Treasurer Atiq Rahman initiated the event, with Dr. Arvind Kumar from Jamia Millia Islamia Central University’s Dr. KR Narayanan Center for Dalit and Minority Studies Department in New Delhi being the chief guest. The function was presided over by Welfare Party State President Razaq Paleri.
The event witnessed the participation of key figures, including Welfare Party State General Secretary Surendran Karipuzha, Vanika Vaisya Sangham State General Secretary Kuttappan Chettiar, SDPI State President Muvattupuzha Ashraf Moulavi, and K.K. Baburaj. Prominent speakers also included Dr. S. Saramangdharan, O.P. Ravindran, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind State Secretary Shihab Pookotoor, J. Raghu, Gro Vasu and Kadakkal Junaid, Kerala Muslim Jamaat Federation Organizing Secretary.
KPMS State Secretariat Member Baiju Kalashala, Sriraman Koyon, Baburaj Bhagwati, RMPI Central Committee Member KS. Hariharan, Former Director of Minority Welfare Department Naseer P Nemam, CSDS State Committee Member Sreekumar, Maruvak Editor Ambika, Kerala Muslim Jamaat Council State President Karamana Bayar, BSP State Secretary Santosh Palathumpadan, Anna DHRM State Working President Saji Kollam, and DSS State Chairperson Reshma Karivedakam were also present in the protest programme.
CDN State General Secretary Lucas Neelamperur, Anandu Raj, Coastal Land Struggle Committee State Chairperson Maglin Philomena, Students Federation of Dravidians National Organizer Ilaya Kumar, Welfare Party State General Secretary Jabeena Irshad, State Vice President K.A. Shafiq, and State President of Women Justice Movement V.A. Faiza also took part.
Fraternity Movement K.M. Sheffrin State President, FITU State President Jyotivas Paravoor, Pravasi Welfare President Aslam Cheruvadi, Asset Convener S. Qamaruddin, A.M. Nadvi, Santhosh Anchal, Gargian, Karakulam Satyakumar, Aji M Chalakeri, Kunjumon Puthur, CPIM Redstar leader M.K. Dasan, and Welfare Party Thiruvananthapuram district president Ashraf Kallara also addressed the audience.
