The Tamil Nadu government’s launch of the Kalaignar Handicrafts Scheme (Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam) has ignited a political row, with the BJP accusing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government of rebranding the Centre’s Vishwakarma Yojana to mislead the public. The DMK’s decision to oppose the Central scheme while introducing its own version has been labeled as an attempt to take undue credit.
DMK’s Opposition to Vishwakarma Yojana
In November 2023, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin declared that his government would not implement the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme in its current form, citing its casteist and discriminatory nature. “We cannot support schemes that perpetuate hereditary caste-based occupations under any guise,” Stalin stated, promising to introduce an inclusive alternative that empowered all artisans, regardless of caste or family occupation.
The DMK’s Kalaignar Handicrafts Scheme was later announced as a comprehensive program to support artisans and craftsmen in 25 trades. According to Tamil Nadu MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan, the scheme provides credit support of up to ₹3 lakh, including a 25% subsidy (capped at ₹50,000) and a 5% interest subsidy. The scheme’s eligibility criteria require beneficiaries to be at least 35 years old, with plans to assist 10,000 individuals annually. The state government asserts that its initiative prioritizes skill development and entrepreneurial growth, deviating from family-based traditional trades.
BJP’s Allegations
Reacting to the announcement, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai accused the DMK of plagiarizing the Vishwakarma Yojana. Taking to social media, he wrote, “Unable to face the brunt of the people of TN for stonewalling the implementation of the PM Vishwakarma Programme, the DMK government has released a cut-copy-paste version of the Vishwakarma Scheme with their sticker pasted on it. The new scheme comes with eligibility relaxations seemingly designed to favor local DMK functionaries.”
Annamalai further alleged that the DMK’s version of the scheme betrayed 8.4 lakh genuine applicants in Tamil Nadu who were eligible for the Central program. He claimed the DMK’s scheme diluted the targeted benefits of the Vishwakarma Yojana by offering collateral-free loans to local party loyalists, undermining its purpose.
Central Government’s Vishwakarma Yojana
The Vishwakarma Yojana, launched by the BJP government in 2023, provides end-to-end support to artisans and craftsmen in 18 trades. Benefits include advanced training with a stipend, collateral-free enterprise development loans of up to Rs 3 lakh at reduced interest rates, and comprehensive support to enhance their livelihoods.
The scheme’s focus on traditional family-based occupations has drawn criticism from the DMK, which argues that such an approach perpetuates caste-based hierarchies. However, the BJP maintains that the Vishwakarma Yojana is designed to empower artisans and craftsmen economically.
Historical Context and DMK’s Policy Stance
The DMK’s opposition to Central schemes is not new. Critics point to its resistance to the National Education Policy (NEP) and the 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) among forward communities as examples. The party’s rejection of hereditary caste-based occupations dates back to its opposition to the Congress-led Kula Kalvi Thittam (Hereditary Education Policy) introduced by then Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari in 1953. The policy sought to integrate family professions into the education system but was abandoned due to vehement criticism, primarily from the DMK.
Critics argue that the DMK’s past actions, such as opposing Kula Kalvi Thittam, hindered the self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities it now claims to promote through its schemes.
Netizens and Political Reactions
The Kalaignar Handicrafts Scheme has also sparked debates online. A social media user commented, “Obviously, they [DMK] do not want another family-owned business becoming entrepreneurs, and they will oppose Vishwakarma Yojana to avoid competition.”
The BJP has accused the DMK of taking credit for Central government initiatives by rebranding them in state-specific formats. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during a recent Parliament session, criticized Tamil Nadu’s political culture, recounting her own experience of being mocked for learning Hindi in the state. “Learning Hindi and Sanskrit is treated like some other fellow’s language,” she remarked, emphasizing that Tamil Nadu’s resistance to non-Tamil languages and Central policies is part of a broader political strategy.
