Traditionally, most of the fishermen in the State identify themselves with the AIADMK, whose founder, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), was known as Meenava Nanban (Friend of fishermen).
Other political parties have consistently sought to win them over. The DMK, in its manifesto, has gone one step further, promising to include them in the list of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) under the title of Marine Tribes.
“There is no doubt that the community will gain a lot if this happens. But the government should treat all the coastal communities as an ethnic group before making the recommendation,” said Sahitya Akademi award winner Joe D’ Cruz, who has chronicled the lives of the fishing community in the Gulf of Mannar in his novels.
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Today, fishermen are either included under the Backward Classes (BCs) list or the Most Backward Classes (BC) one. While the Parvars and the Mukkuvars are Christians, most of the sub-sects such as Paravar, Valaignar, Pattinavar, Kadaiyar, Karaiyar, Ambalakarar, Palli, Nattar, Parvatharajakulam, Sempadavar, Nulaignar are Hindus. The Maraikayars are Muslims.
Even though MGR struck a chord with the community and always rushed to help them, Mr. Cruz added, they could not, as a group, climb up the socio-economic ladder unlike other communities.
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“They remain like the turtles eating iridescent bubbles and cannot get adequate representation in politics and in power structure. The reservation will ensure their entry into government jobs. You need representatives of the community in the Coastal Guard as they know the sea better than anyone else.”
Vote-bank politics
P. Shanmugam, president of the Tamil Nadu Tribals Association, however, is sceptical.
The DMK, he said, made the promise with an eye on the votes since practically it would be impossible to carry it out.
“Legally it won’t stand the scrutiny. There are certain criteria, including having a separate language, culture and identity, that are required to warrant the inclusion of a community in the ST list. The community cannot fulfil these requirements,” he added.
Mr. Shanmugam, who was at the forefront of the struggle waged by tribal communities against the atrocities by the police in Vachathi, pointed out that even though the DMK had also promised to include the Narikuravas in the list, the demand had been pending before the Registrar General since 1980.
“There are primitive tribes, including Irulas, Thodas, Kothas and Kurumbas and so many general tribes. Kurvas and 27 sub-sects, Malayalees of Erode. Pulayas and Kurumans are waiting for inclusion in the list,” he said.