The controversies around an economic survey in Kerala
The Hindu
Why is Kerala surveying the poor of forward communities? What are the objections raised by the NSS?
: The first-ever attempt in Kerala to take stock of the socio-economic status of forward castes has run into trouble with the Nair Service Society (NSS), a prominent organisation of Hindu upper castes, objecting to the methodology of the assessment. From the first week of December, on the terms set by the Hariharan Nair panel, volunteers from the women self-help group, Kudumbasree, will carry out a survey across the State among target communities who are the most economically poor.
The Hariharan Nair panel decided to carry out a sample survey programme, which it said was an attempt to provide additional benefits to the listed forward communities while retaining the existing benefits offered to Economically Weaker Sections.

“Walk for Equality was aimed at creating a movement to crush the forces attempting to divide the people along religious line, said Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko. Concluding his 140-kilometre ‘Samathuva nadai payanam’ from Tiruchi to Madurai on Monday, Mr. Vaiko said, “The Hindutva forces are actively attempting to drive a wedge between communities through various incidents, most notably the Thirupparankundram deepam controversy, using identity-based politics to achieve their divisive motives.”












