It is unacceptable to dub as ‘freebies’ initiatives aimed at socio-economic development of backward and all marginalised sections of the society, the DMK said on Sunday. Its organising secretary R S Bharathi, who is a petitioner in the case against freebies in the Supreme Court, said open-ing up access to education to the marginalised and backward people was the first step taken by Justice Party stalwart Thiagarayar (1852-1925).

He made education, books and lunch available to school students free of cost. “This encouraged students to go to schools. How can you refer to such initiatives as a freebie? This eventually blossomed into a nutritious meal programme. Now, our chief minister has launched breakfast scheme for school students.”