SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: A STUDY OF RESERVATION POLICY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SCHEDULED CASTES IN TAMILNADU

Abstract The Indian constitution guarantees fundamental rights of equality and equal protection under law to all its citizens. At the same time, it throws reasonability upon the state to give special protection for Scheduled Castes in order to improve their status. The reservation policy is one of the instruments to improve the socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Castes which is among the most deprived sections of the society. The union government provides 15 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes in all sectors. Every welfare programmes and polices are implementing through the state government. State government makes law particularly state list in favour of development activities. Tamilnadu government provides welfare programmes for SCs. Seventy six communities of Scheduled Castes have been notified in Tamilnadu government. Present study deals with issues of reservation policy and the impact of welfare programmes and polices on the 76 Scheduled Castes. This study concentrates issues of the Scheduled Castes reservation policy with in quota for Arunthatiyars in Tamilnadu.