PUDUCHERRY: At the heart of Perumalpuram, within the folds of Villianur commune, lies Puliyansalai, a tribal hamlet struggling under the tall shadows cast by systemic neglect and poverty. The village houses 18 families of the Malakkuravan tribe whose poor living conditions have been further exacerbated by the looming threat of eviction. However, despite their marginalised status and irrecognition as a Scheduled Tribe (ST), the members of the tribe are determined to exercise their fundamental right this Lok Sabha election.
“We are a small community, often overlooked, but we will cast our votes,” asserted M Egambaram, president of the tribal association, reflecting the high hopes of the community in participating in the electoral process. Even though no MP or even a candidate has set foot in their village, the tribals are clear in what they want for themselves: an MP who will champion their cause of recognition as an ST, utilising the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds to bring essential amenities to the village, securing pattas and financial support for higher education.
Securing patta land is perhaps the most important of their demands, as the tribal families of Puliyansalai have, for over three decades, lived in nothing but makeshift shelters on land belonging to the Puducherry Housing Board (PHB). Every rainy season brings with it the threat of flooding and collapse of the makeshift shelters, they lamented. “Even basic facilities such as toilets are non-existent in our homes, forcing us to use the nearest toilet which is some 500 metres away. Drinking water comes from a common tap, which also gets submerged during rains,” said E Alamelu (47), a resident.
While the hamlet did get an electricity connection in 2017, facilitated by the then L-G Kiran Bedi, the livelihoods of the tribals and their educational prospects still remain doubtful. Most families survive by selling vegetables, handicraft items on the roadside or driving autorickshaws on a rental basis. The residents also mentioned the persistent difficulties faced by the youngsters in funding their higher education.
“Unlike the Adi Dravidars, we do not receive any higher educational assistance. We are recognised as a Backward Tribe by the Puducherry government, which entitles us to reservation in basic education. But then, what about college education,” asked E Suganya (30). “A student studying physiotherapy at a private college also sells vegetables and does odd jobs to support his education and travel expenses,” she added.
Accessing special loan schemes to start small businesses has also proved challenging. “Banks ask us for collateral, despite Prime Minister’s Mudra loan requiring no such security,” said Egambaram.
Amid such a situation, Puliyansalai residents recently received an eviction notice from PHB, stating that the land has been handed over to Padmini Nagar residents for the construction of an overhead water tank, a park and other facilities. The tribal residents refused to vacate unless an alternative plot is provided to them. While there has been a delay in finding alternative land, Padmini Nagar residents’ association has moved the High Court seeking their eviction.
It remains to be seen if the upcoming polls usher in the wave of change Puliyansalai residents seek, but either way their journey towards empowerment is far from over.
