In response to comments regarding his Brahmin identity, Tamil Nadu's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister S Ramesh clarified that appointments within the Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi (TVK) party were made without regard to caste. He emphasized that selections were based on the party's commitment to secularism and social justice, rather than individual identities. Ramesh, who represents the Srirangam Assembly constituency, is one of only two Brahmin ministers in the TVK cabinet led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. He noted that the electoral mandate was directed towards the leadership of the Chief Minister, indicating that voters viewed him as part of their family, transcending caste and religious boundaries. Additionally, Ramesh addressed calls from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) for more Muslim ministers in the government, asserting that the TVK remains committed to the principles of reformers Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and B. R. Ambedkar, rejecting any notion of caste-based favoritism in ministerial appointments. He reiterated that their focus is on serving the public without discrimination based on caste, religion, or gender.