Kalyani, human rights activists and coordinator of Pazhangudi Irular Pathukaapu Sangam, said: “Irular community is considered to be one of the six primitive tribes in Tamil Nadu. The Scheduled Tribes form only 2.16 per cent of the total population in Tamil Nadu. Since the population of Irular community is very less, they are not considered as an important political force and their demands are completely neglected.”
He added that a very low percentage of Scheduled Tribe population is educated. “It is important to encourage them and providing community certificate will help them avail the reservation benefits,” Mr.Kalyani said.
A Pauli of Punitha Annal Kalvi Sudar, a Christian institution working for the Irular community, stated that there were 150 Irular students who applied for the ST community certificate last year.
“Among them, only 50 received it. This year, there were 60 applicants from primary school to plus two. First, the plus two students have to get the certificate to apply for graduation courses. We have to struggle for every student to get the ST certificate. There are many students who are pursuing PG, working as teachers, nurses and in the police department. Every certificate we got for the children is only through protests or agitation,” she said.
Ms. Pauli added that without the certificates, the children either stay at home or their parents get them married off. This affects their future.
