Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced the formation of a crucial new commission. This body, led by retired Madras High Court judge Justice K.N. Basha, is set to undertake extensive consultations and propose legislation aimed at preventing and tackling caste-based hate crimes and so-called ‘honor’ killings.
Chief Minister Stalin stated that the commission will be composed of legal experts, forward-thinking individuals, and distinguished sociologists. Its mandate includes engaging with political organizations, legal professionals, social activists, and victims to gather insights and develop comprehensive recommendations. These will then form the basis for the state government to enact robust laws against caste- and honor-based hate crimes.
The Chief Minister emphasized that advocating for social reforms and imposing penalties for crimes are two sides of the same coin, serving as both a protective shield and an instrument for change. He stressed the vital need to end all forms of discriminatory and dominant mindsets. ‘It is our shared responsibility,’ he declared, ‘to foster a movement that actively opposes such thinking and champions equality, self-respect, and compassion for all humanity.’ Stalin also highlighted the government’s initiatives, such as enabling individuals from all castes to serve as temple priests and ensuring an annual oath for social justice and equality on the birth anniversaries of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy.
Recalling his previous announcements, Stalin stated that the derogatory term ‘colony’, long associated with untouchability and oppression, would be removed from official records and public discourse. Furthermore, caste identifiers in school and college hostels have been eliminated by renaming them ‘social justice’ hostels. He also mentioned a recent plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a change in the spelling of certain Scheduled Caste names from ending in ‘n’ to ‘r’, to ensure these communities are accorded due respect.
Stalin further expressed profound sorrow over recent incidents in the country, questioning whether the sacrifices of past leaders were meant to lead to such divisions. He pondered why compassion lags behind humanity’s advancements in knowledge, a thought that troubles all proponents of reform. He argued that a society as intellectually respected as Tamil Nadu fighting amongst itself is inexcusable. ‘A civilized society,’ he affirmed, ‘cannot tolerate killing for any reason—nor can an enlightened community accept any form of hatred, humiliation, or violence.’
The Chief Minister also highlighted the insidious role of patriarchy embedded within these caste-based hate crimes, noting how it systematically deprives women of their fundamental right to self-determination and to shape their own lives.