Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

Badagas demand inclusion in list of Scheduled Tribes

Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

Help us progress: Members of the Badaga community displaying resolutions at a meeting in Udhagamandalam on Saturday. —

Udhagamandalam: The Badagas of the Nilgiris should be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

This was emphasised at a meeting jointly organised by the Chennai based Adivasi Makkal Vizhipunarvu Marumalarchi Amaippu and the Nilgiris Nakkubetta Nala Sangam here on Saturday.

Resolving to urge the government to favourably consider the long standing demand of the community, the meeting pointed out that the Badagas have been part of the Nilgiris for several centuries.

Over the past about five decades the Badagas have been struggling peacefully for a tribal status.

Inclusion of the community in the ST list will help protect their land and belongings and also prevent migration.

In particular it will help preserve the hoary culture of the community.

By another resolution the meeting requested the Tamil Nadu Government to take up the demand of the Badagas numbering about 3.50 lakh with the Central Government.

It also resolved to request the Nilgiris MP R.Prabhu to espouse the cause of the Badagas with the Prime Minister.

Adverting to a petition submitted to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell in this regard, the meeting resolved to thank Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi for forwarding it to the Director of Tribal Welfare.

Participating as the chief guest the Udhagamandalam MLA B.Gopalan promised that he would take up the demand of the Badagas not only in the Legislative Assembly but also with the Chief Minister.

A.Halithu, President, Adivasi Makkal Vizhipunarv u Marumalarchi Amaippu said that there was justification in the demand of the Badagas for ST status.

He added that for the first time Badagas and many non-Badagas from various parts of the State had come together in order to achieve the goal.

The President, Tribal Solidarity, T.M.Kullan traced the history of the Badagas and said that it was an ancient community.

Till the early 1930s the Badagas were treated as tribals.

The President, Nilgiris Nakkubetta Nala Sangam A.Ranga Gowder presided over the meeting.

The General Secretary of the Sangam T.M. Chandran welcomed the gathering.

M.Nandhi Gowder of Kalakorai proposed a vote of thanks.

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