VCK demands anthropological study to rectify anomalies in reservation given to tribal communities in Puducherry

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has demanded that an anthropological study be conducted to rectify anomalies in providing reservation to tribal communities in Puducherry.

In a memorandum submitted to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, the VCK has stated that five communities – Irular, Katunayakkan, Kurumans, Yerukula, and Malaikuravan – were declared Backward Tribes (BT) in Puducherry in 2010. After recognising these communities, they were given 1% reservation, the memorandum said.

Later, in 2016, the Irular community was recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and it was decided it would be given 0.5% reservation, while the remaining four communities remained under the BT category, receiving 0.5% reservation. However, it was observed that several unrelated caste groups are misusing reservation by claiming BT status. 

They are claiming quota under similar names such as Kuravan in the category of Kattunayakkan, Otters in the name of Kurumans, Jogi and Shikari/Vettaikarar in the name of Kattunayakkan, Boom Boom Mattukkaran and Kudukudupai in the name of Yerukala, VCK principal secretary Deva Pozhilan said in the memorandum.

“The party, therefore, requests that a comprehensive anthropological study be undertaken to identify and authenticate the actual social groups under the names of Kurumans, Malaikuravan, Yerukula, and Kattunayakkan, so that genuine communities get the benefits of reservation,” he said.

The memorandum has also highlighted the need to include Vagri (Narikuravan/Kuruvikaran) in the ST category. The Tamil Nadu government has already recognised and included the community under the ST category. The party wanted the Commission to direct the Puducherry government to put a mechanism for mandatory scrutiny of caste genuineness and authenticity of caste certificate in the Union Territory, he said.