Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam   

Badagas anguished over groupism in community

Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

The Young Badaga Association hall in Udhagamandalam. –

Udhagamandalam: Even as the main gate of the Young Badagas Association (YBA) headquarters which was locked by rival groups in the Badaga community on Sunday, the district administration made arrangements on Monday to re-open it.

A number of Badagas from various villages who had come to the YBA headquarters after hearing about its closure said that they were deeply concerned over the direction in which the community, which was the largest indigenous social grouping the Nilgiris, was heading to.

Alleging that politics was playing havoc in the community, they opined that its long term goals are being compromised by vested interests.

Adverting to its famed hoary culture and legendary hospitality, they said that petty quarrels and ego clashes among the members of the community were undermining the lofty values for which it was well known for.

The need of the hour is a face-to-face to thrash out differences.

Pointing out that this was the season when Badagas paid obeisance to ‘Goddess Hetthai', they said that the current developments had marred the festive spirit. There was a need for urgent fire fighting measures to reverse the damage caused to the reputation of the community and instil confidence among the younger generation, D.Vishwanath, a lawyer, said that only by delinking politics from community interests can unity be brought about.

Referring to the large number of Badaga youth who are employed in various parts of the country and abroad, he cautioned that if priorities are mixed up here they will have, culture-wise, nothing to look forward to when they return.

He added that the formation of an International Badaga Association is in the offing.

The Udhagamandalam tahsildar Joghee who opened the lock said that the key had been handed over to him by members of the group who had locked the gate, after the intervention of the administration.

The management had opened the other lock.

The president, YBA, T. Gundan, said that a meeting would be held to resolve differences.

He expressed the confidence that in a matter of time problems plaguing the community would disappear.

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