Priyanka seeks ST status for Kalanadi community

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MP, has demanded Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Kalanadi community, one of the earliest inhabitants of Wayanad. In a letter to Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram, Ms. Vadra said that Kalanadi community is a small group with primitive traits.

The State government has already recommended that Kalanadi community, currently classified under the Other Eligible Community (OEC) category, be reclassified as Scheduled Tribes.

Ms. Vadras raised the demand citing the Kalanadi community’s social, economic and geographical backwardness as well as their declining population of just 328 individuals.

A study on Kalanadi community conducted by Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies (KIRTADS) has identified characteristics like own language, ancient and primitive traits, distinctive culture, isolated behaviour, tribal rules, primitive economic activity, geographical isolation, educational and socio-economic backwardness, and declining population.

The KIRTADS study has described the Kalanadis as nomads. “At present, only 328 members of the community remain. The Kalanadis are historically marginalised and have been fighting for several decades to be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes,” said Ms. Vadra.