A virtual mass meeting was convened by Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) on 26th July 2020, the day of the implementation of reservation for non-brahmins by Shahu Maharaj in his Princely State of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, as early as in 1902.
Dr.K.Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam in his tributary address recalled the contributions of Shahu Maharaj for the cause of social justice during the period of the British Empire in India. He implemented 50 per cent reservation both in education and public employment for non-brahmins, when the reservation rights of the oppressed sections were not even aware of and not crystallised at all. Shahu was the pioneer of the vital policy of social justice for which sustained struggles are continuing still. Dr. K.Veeramani appealed to the virtual audience of not only Tamil Nadu, other States of the country but throughout the world to uphold the ‘Torch of Social Justice’, lit by Mahatma Jothiba Phule (1827 – 1890), sustained by Shahu Maharaj (1874 – 1922) in Maharashtra and led as mass movement by Thanthai Periyar E.V. Ramasamy (1879 – 1973) and Babasaheb Dr.B.R.Ambedkar (1891 – 1956) and resolve to dedicate for the cause on the historic day – 26th July.
