Tamil Nadu okays social justice survey, review plea in SC for muslim converts

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Cabinet, chaired by chief minister C Joseph Vijay, on Thursday approved key proposals, including permission for eight companies to start industrial operations, the filing of a review petition against a Supreme Court judgement concerning reservation for Muslims who converted from Hinduism and the formation of a social justice survey commission.

The Cabinet, the third since Vijay assumed office in May, approved the formation of a commission to conduct a social justice survey, fulfilling a promise made in the governor's address. The proposed survey is expected to be different from the caste enumeration to be conducted by the Union government. It will involve a detailed socio-economic assessment of communities, including family income, occupation, land ownership, educational status, school and college enrolment, dropout rates and access to welfare schemes.

Read more: SC rejects plea against six AIADMK MLAs over TVK switch


"After the population census is completed by the central government, we will be doing a social status survey," energy resources and law minister CTR Nirmal Kumar told media persons after the cabinet meeting. "For that, one commission will be formed, headed by a retired high court judge. With that commission, the social status survey will be conducted after February or March of 2027."

Tamil Nadu governor RV Arlekar had announced in his address to the assembly that the state would conduct the social justice survey after the completion of the caste enumeration by the Centre.

Kumar further said the government would file a review petition against the Supreme Court judgment that quashed a 2024 government order on reservation for converted Muslims. The petition will be filed after the necessary decisions are taken in the coming days, he said.

Read more: Tamil Nadu cabinet: 50% ministers have criminal cases, 20% are crorepatis

The Cabinet also discussed the issue of about 600 acres of 'anadheenam' (government-owned, unassigned) land in Thalambur, where around 3,000 families reside and 15 educational institutions operate. The government is considering ways to provide relief to residents and those who purchased houses on the land from companies, including Casagrand. It is also examining whether the educational institutions can be granted leases for 30 or 50 years.

Kumar said the government would consider implementing the recommendations submitted by a commission headed by a retired judge on the Thalambur land issue.