'Cong against violence, not Dalits'

 “If Dalits are denied opportunities, there is nothing wrong if they agitate to get their due, clearly knowing what they are fighting for; but we are only against the mindless violence of Naxals,” he clarified here.

He was speaking at a function at the Sathyamurthy Bhavan, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) headquarters, to formally admit Dalit leader and former state BSP chief Selva Perunthagai and his supporters into the party fold.

Asserting that the Congress was for “inclusive growth”, Chidambaram said his party had a responsibility to ensure the legitimate rights and economic welfare of Dalits, minorities and backward classes.

Chidambaram said under the UPA regime, pre and post-matric scholarships, besides research fellowships and hostel facilities for Dalit students, have opened immense possibilities for the educational empowerment of the backward classes.

Chidambaram, earlier on arrival from Madurai here, met Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at the latter’s Gopalauram residence and explained the steps taken by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced Tamils in northern Sri Lanka.