CHENNAI: State social justice department has issued show-cause notices to members of Tamil Nadu state commission for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, including vice-chairperson and writer Imayam, accusing them of misusing their powers, failing to discharge their duties and lacking coordination. These officebearers were appointed during the DMK govt.The Aug 25 notice, issued by Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) managing director K Kandasamy, has given members three days to explain why they should not be removed from their posts. According to the show-cause notice, the department had received several complaints against the members. With the chairperson’s post vacant, some members were allegedly acting unilaterally, petitions were not being properly inquired into, and there had been misuse of powers and lack of coordination among members. The notice also pointed out that no board meeting had been held since Aug 21, 2025.Members alleged that the action was politically motivated, alleging that govt is seeking to remove members appointed by the previous DMK govt and replace them with its own nominees. A few members are considering moving court against the action.The move comes against the backdrop of TVK govt reviewing several bodies constituted during the previous regime, including fire commission, information commission and state planning commission. In some cases, members were asked to step down, while others voluntarily quit, according to officials familiar with the changes.A commission member alleged that the move was politically motivated and aimed at clearing the way for govt to appoint its preferred nominees. “The govt wants to get rid of members appointed by DMK govt and replace them with its choice,” the member said. When contacted, Imayam said he had decided to resign the post but declined to elaborate.Social welfare minister Vanniarasu rejected the allegation of political vendetta and defended the govt’s action. “I respect Imayam as a writer, but he did not discharge his duty as vice-chairperson of the commission. As a minister, I visited the families of victims of caste violence, but the vice-chairperson and members of the commission neither visited them nor conducted any inquiry. They did not submit any report. We are not happy,” he told TOI.Vanniarasu said the govt wanted to reconstitute the commission with activists and revive it to make the statutory body more effective in addressing issues faced by SC/ST people in the state.
