Tribal groups seek Paniya representation in seats reserved for ST in Wayanad

A conjugation of assorted Adivasi organisations nether the aegis of the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGMS) has appealed to mainstream governmental parties to tract a campaigner from the Paniya assemblage successful the Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved Assembly constituencies of Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery successful the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly election, arguing that specified a determination would assistance close long-standing caste favoritism successful electoral representation.

In a elaborate practice submitted to leaders of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the organisations urged the information of C. Manikandan, an MBA postgraduate and societal activistic from the Paniya community, describing his candidature arsenic a measurement towards “reparative societal justice” for 1 of the astir marginalised groups successful the State.

According to the memorandum, the Paniyas represent the largest ST assemblage successful Kerala, with an estimated colonisation of astir 90,000. In Wayanad district, they relationship for astir 45% of the tribal population. However, the assemblage has had small beingness successful legislative oregon section assemblage authorities contempt its demographic strength, the memorandum said.

Leaders of the Adivasi organisations pointed retired that the State Assembly has 2 ST-reserved constituencies, some located successful Wayanad — Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery. At present, these constituencies are represented by leaders belonging to comparatively better-off communities wrong the ST category, they said.

The practice cited information reported successful 2021, indicating that betwixt 1965 and 2021, large governmental alliances successful the State, including the UDF, the LDF, and the National Democratic Alliance, had fielded 28 ST candidates successful the 2 constituencies. Of these, 24 belonged to the land-owning Kurichya and Kuruma communities, portion lone 4 candidates came from the landless Adiya community. Several different Adivasi communities, including the Paniyas, had nary practice astatine all.

The memorandum besides highlighted the humanities marginalisation of landless Adivasi groups specified arsenic the Paniyas, Adiyas and Kattunaikas, galore of whom were subjected to slavery nether feudal onshore relations successful the Western Ghats. Despite the abolition of bonded labour and the implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, the organisations said the communities proceed to look landlessness, unemployment and constricted entree to education.

According to leaders of the Adivasi communities who signed the memorandum, Mr. Manikandan, described arsenic the archetypal MBA postgraduate from the Paniya community, has been progressive successful Adivasi rights movements and younker mobilisation successful Wayanad. They said his candidature could energise Adivasi youth, fortify grassroots enactment for secular authorities and antagonistic attempts by Hindutva groups to grow their power among Adivasi voters.