Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

Move to make Nilgiris reserved segment evokes mixed reaction

Udhagamandalam: The inclusion of the Nilgiris in the list of reserved parliamentary constituencies has evoked mixed reaction in the district.

While many of those belonging to the scheduled caste communities have welcomed the move, the Badagas who are the largest indigenous social group in the hills are up in arms. Stating that the decision of the Delimitation Commission had come as a rude shock to all sections of the committee, local Badaga leaders said that they considered it as a grave injustice done to them.

The representatives of various Badaga associations, who met here on Wednesday, have sent letters to the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister and others concerned. Urging them to ensure that the decision was reconsidered without delay, they stated that the unilateral decision of the Delimitation Commission cannot and will not be accepted by the predominant Badaga community of the Nilgiris.

Contending that they have been geographically isolated and reside only in the Nilgiris, they lamented that now there was also a move to isolate them politically by denying them representation in parliament. They claimed, “we form nearly 35 per cent of the electorate of the Nilgiris constituency.” They alleged that some manipulation had been done. Bhavani Sagar (SC) Assembly constituency had replaced Koundampalayam, which was in the draft proposal. This had brought under the Nilgiris constituency, three SC Assembly segments while Coimbatore and Tirupur parliamentary constituencies had no SC segments. “We consider it as a conspiracy against the Badaga community,” they said.

Meanwhile the State Organising Secretary, INTUC, Manjai V. Mohan, said that arrangements had been made to seek judicial intervention.

A former president, Nilgiris District Congress Committee, said that the long-standing demand to make the Nilgiris a Union Territory should be considered. He added that the government should also consider declaring the district as a hill constituency.

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