What is Vanniyar Movement ?
Vanniyars are one of the largest and most consolidated backward communities in Tamil Nadu
They had raised massive protests in the mid-1980s demanding 20% reservation in the state, and 2% in central services.
During agitation from September 17 to 23, 1987, many protesters were killed.
In 1989, the OBC quota was split into two: Backward Castes and Most Backward Castes
Vanniyars were categorised among the MBCs with 107 other communities, with 20% reservation.
Three decades later, the state government passed a Bill, and the current government has implemented it with a Government Order ensuring 10.5% reservation for Vanniyars within the 20% MBC quota.