Irula people: Difference between revisions

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Short description|Ethnic group in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
 
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Irula
| group            = Irula
| native_name      =  
| native_name      =  
| native_name_lang =  
| native_name_lang =  
| image            = எலி பிடிக்கும் இருளர் படம் 4.JPG
| image            = Irulas1871.jpg
| caption          = Irula rat catchers, Tamil Nadu
| caption          = Irula men from the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, c.1871
| total            = 213,641
| total            = 213,641
| total_year      = 2011 census
| total_year      = 2011 census
Line 19: Line 19:
| pop3            = 10,259
| pop3            = 10,259
| languages        = [[Irula language|Irula]]
| languages        = [[Irula language|Irula]]
| religions        = [[Hinduism]]
| religions        = [[Hinduism]],<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">"Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2 November 2017.</ref> [[Traditional religion]], [[Christianity]]
| related          = [[Soliga tribe|Soliga]], [[Tamil people|Tamil]], [[Yerukala people|Yerukala]]
| related          = [[Soliga tribe|Soliga]], [[Tamil people|Tamil]], [[Yerukala people|Yerukala]]
}}
}}
'''Irula''', also known as '''Iruliga'',''''' are a [[Dravidian people|Dravidian]] ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]].<ref>Perialwar, R. (1979), Phonology of Irula with Vocabulary, Annamalai University</ref> A [[scheduled tribe]], their population in this region is estimated at around 200,000 people.<ref name="worldbank_rat">[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/OPPORTUNITIES/GRANTS/DEVMARKETPLACE/0,,contentMDK:20214659~menuPK:214469~pagePK:180691~piPK:174492~theSitePK:205098,00.html World Bank grant to improve standard of living for rat-catchers]</ref><ref name="ashanet_irula_project">[http://www.ashanet.org/projects/tamilnadu/irulas/Irulas.html Irula Project Proposal and site report]</ref> People of Irula ethnicity are called ''Irular'', and speak [[Irula language|Irula]], which belongs to the [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]] family.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/president-gives-nod-to-add-puducherrys-irular-community-in-the-scheduled-tribes-list/articleshow/56150919.cms President gives nod to add Puducherry's Irular community in the Scheduled Tribes list]</ref>


== Etymology ==
'''Irula''', (Natively: ër̠la/ïr̠la, {{ipa|pcf|ərla, ɨrla|ipa}}){{sfnp|Zvelebil|1979}} also known as '''Iruliga'',''''' are a [[Dravidian people|Dravidian]] ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of [[Tamil Nadu]], and parts of [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]].<ref>Perialwar, R. (1979), Phonology of Irula with Vocabulary, Annamalai University</ref> A [[scheduled tribe]], their population in this region is estimated at around 200,000 people.<ref name="worldbank_rat">[http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/OPPORTUNITIES/GRANTS/DEVMARKETPLACE/0,,contentMDK:20214659~menuPK:214469~pagePK:180691~piPK:174492~theSitePK:205098,00.html World Bank grant to improve standard of living for rat-catchers]</ref><ref name="ashanet_irula_project">[http://www.ashanet.org/projects/tamilnadu/irulas/Irulas.html Irula Project Proposal and site report]</ref> People of Irula ethnicity are called ''Irular'', and speak [[Irula language|Irula]], which belongs to the [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian]] languages family.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/president-gives-nod-to-add-puducherrys-irular-community-in-the-scheduled-tribes-list/articleshow/56150919.cms President gives nod to add Puducherry's Irular community in the Scheduled Tribes list]</ref>
''Irular'' means "dark people" in Tamil and Malayalam, from the root word ''irul'', meaning "darkness." Thurston speculated that it either referred to the darkness of the jungles which they inhabited or their dark skin complexion.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thurston|first=Edgar|url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Irulas|title=Castes and Tribes of Southern India|year=1909}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=H.V. Nanjundayya|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.csl.4002|title=The Mysore tribes and castes|last2=L.K. Anathakrishna|date=1930|publisher=Mysore, Mysore University}}</ref>
 
==Etymology==
Irula is derived from the term ''iruḷ'' "black" and ''-a/iga'' "people".<ref>https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Irulas</ref><ref>https://kolichala.com/DEDR/search.php?esb=1&q=2552&lsg=0&emb=0&meaning=&tgt=unicode2</ref>
 
==Society==
The Irula society is divided into four tribes– Vete Kadu Irulas, Male Nadu Irula, Urali and Kasava, of whom the former two intermarry hence forming three endogamous units.{{sfnp|Zvelebil|1979}} While majority of the Irula are illiterate, they possess a oral tradition, significant part of which are riddles.{{sfnp|Zvelebil|1979}}


== Distribution ==
== Distribution and religion ==
The tribe numbers around 215,000 spread across three states: 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala and 10,259 in Karnataka. Those in Karnataka are named Iruligas. The Irulas are mainly concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu: in a wedge extending from [[Krishnagiri district|Krishnagiri]] and [[Dharmapuri district|Dharmapuri]] districts in the west to [[Ariyalur district|Ariyalur]] and [[Cuddalore district|Cuddalore]] districts in the south and [[Tiruvallur district]] in the north. Small populations live in [[Coimbatore district|Coimbatore]] and [[Nilgiris district|Nilgiris]] districts and were classified by Thurston as a different population. In Kerala, the Irulas are in [[Palakkad district]], while in Karnataka they are concentrated in [[Ramanagara district|Ramanagara]] and [[Bangalore Urban district|Bangalore]] districts.<ref name="census"/>
The tribe numbers around 200,000 spread across three states: 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala and 10,259 in Karnataka. Those in Karnataka are named Iruligas. The Irulas are mainly concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu: in a wedge extending from [[Krishnagiri district|Krishnagiri]] and [[Dharmapuri district|Dharmapuri]] districts in the west to [[Ariyalur district|Ariyalur]] and [[Cuddalore district|Cuddalore]] districts in the south and [[Tiruvallur district]] in the north. Small populations live in [[Coimbatore district|Coimbatore]] and [[Nilgiris district|Nilgiris]] districts and were classified by Thurston as a different population. In Kerala, the Irulas are in [[Palakkad district]], while in Karnataka they are concentrated in [[Ramanagara district|Ramanagara]], [[Chamarajanagar district|Chamarajanagara]] and [[Bangalore Urban district|Bangalore]] districts.<ref name="census"/>


== Genetics ==
The Irula people practice some sort of [[Animism]] where they primarily believe in a goddess named Inga who lives with her six sisters worshipped in the form of stones under trees. The Irula people traditionally believe that these 7 sisters created the first Irula man and woman. This traditional concept of seven goddesses was [[Sanskritised]] as [[Matrikas|Sapta Matrika]]. The Irula people also believe in ancestral spirits, and they traditionally believe that Kannipe (spirits of virgin girls) can possess anyone. These kannipe spirits are worshipped as guardian deities of villages by Irula tribals. The Irula also believe in the presence of evil spirits known as Pe who can possess and haunt people. In order to keep these spirits away, a [[Chicken|rooster]] is sacrificed and offered to them. Many Irula people worship Hindu gods and also take part in Hindu festivals. Some Irulas have also been converted to [[Christianity]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}
[[File:எலி பிடிக்கும் இருளர் படம் 3.JPG|thumb|Irula farmers in [[Tamil Nadu]]]]
A study by Yelmen et al (2019) found that the Irula were the closest likely proxy for the indigenous 'AASI', or Ancient Ancestral South Indian, one of the presumed founder and autochthonous original Indian populations. They showed a closer fit when modelled than alternatives that have been suggested such as the [[Onge]] or East Asians.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Yelmen|first=Burack|last2=Mondal|first2=Mayukh|last3=Marnetto|first3=David|last4=Pathak|first4=Ajay|last5=Montinaro|first5=Francesco|last6=Romero|first6=Irene|last7=Kivisild|first7=Toomas|last8=Metspalu|first8=Mait|last9=Pagani|first9=Luca|date=2019-04-05|title=Demographic Histories and Opposite Selective Pressures in Modern South Asian Populations|url=https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/36/8/1628/5364274}}</ref> The DNA analysis (2018) of a male skeleton classified as 'I4411' which is taken from a site of [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] in [[Rakhigarhi]] village shows affinity with Irula tribe.<ref>4500-year-old DNA from Rakhigarhi reveals evidence that will unsettle Hindutva nationalists [https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20180910-rakhigarhi-dna-study-findings-indus-valley-civilisation-1327247-2018-08-31]</ref>


== Language ==
== Language ==
 
The Irula speak the [[Irula language]], a [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian language]] that is closely related to [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref>{{cite web |title=People of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |url=http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ |publisher=Keystone Foundation |access-date=26 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929230456/http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ |archive-date=29 September 2007 |date=2006}}</ref>
The Irula speak the [[Irula language]], a [[Dravidian languages|Dravidian language]] that is closely related to [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref>Keystone Foundation (2006) "''People of the [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]]''" retrieved 3/26/2007(NBR)[http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ "''People of the [[Nilgiri mountains|Nilgiri]] Biosphere Reserve''"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929230456/http://keystone-foundation.net/web/nbr/ |date=29 September 2007 }}</ref>


== Economy ==
== Economy ==
[[File:எலி பிடிக்கும் இருளர் சமூகத்தினர் படம் 2.JPG|thumb|170px|Irula man and woman tilling the soil.]]
[[File:எலி பிடிக்கும் இருளர் சமூகத்தினர் படம் 2.JPG|thumb|262x262px|Irula man and woman tilling the soil.]]
Traditionally, the main occupation of the Irulas has been [[snake]], rat catching and [[honey]] collection. They also work as labourers ([[coolie]]s) in the fields of the [[landlords]] during the sowing and harvesting seasons or in the rice mills. Fishing and cattle farm is also a major occupation.
[[File:எலி பிடிக்கும் இருளர் படம் 4.JPG|left|thumb|262x262px|Irala [[rat catcher]]s, Tamil Nadu]]
Traditionally, the main occupation of the Irulas has been [[snake]] and rat catching, and [[honey]] collection. They also work as labourers<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 July 2021|title=Criminalizing Scheduled Tribes in Post Independence State|url=https://article51a.in/criminalizing-scheduled-tribes-in-post-independence-state/|url-status=dead|website=Article 51-A|access-date=28 July 2021|archive-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118203936/https://article51a.in/criminalizing-scheduled-tribes-in-post-independence-state/}}</ref> ([[coolie]]s) in the fields of the [[landlords]] during the sowing and harvesting seasons or in the rice mills. Fishing and cattle farm is also a major occupation.


Rats destroy a quarter of the grain grown on [[Tamil Nadu]]-area farms annually. To combat this pest, Irula men use a traditional earthen pot [[fumigation]] method. Smoke is blown through their mouths, which leads to severe respiratory and heart problems.<ref name="worldbank_rat"/>
Rats destroy a quarter of the grain grown on [[Tamil Nadu]]-area farms annually. To combat this pest, Irula men use a traditional earthen pot [[fumigation]] method. Smoke is blown through their mouths, which leads to severe respiratory and heart problems.<ref name="worldbank_rat"/>


In January 2017, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal from the Irula tribe of [[Tamil Nadu]] were brought in, along with two translators, to work with detection dogs to track down and capture invasive [[Burmese pythons]] in [[Key Largo]], Florida.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2017/01/26/florida-is-deploying-snake-hunters-from-india-to-catch-invasive-pythons/ Snake hunters from India are the latest weapons in Florida’s war on pythons]</ref> The Irula men and their translators were paid $70,000 by the State of [[Florida]], and captured 14 pythons in less than two weeks.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers]</ref>
In January 2017, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal from the Irula tribe of [[Tamil Nadu]] were brought in, along with two translators, to work with detection dogs to track down and capture invasive [[Burmese pythons]] in [[Key Largo]], Florida.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2017/01/26/florida-is-deploying-snake-hunters-from-india-to-catch-invasive-pythons/ Snake hunters from India are the latest weapons in Florida’s war on pythons]</ref> The Irula men and their translators were paid $70,000 by the State of [[Florida]], and captured 14 pythons in less than two weeks.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers]</ref>
== Caste discrimination ==
Irula people face severe discrimination and harassment from other castes and numerous such cases are reported every year.
* In 2020, a girl named Dhanalaxmi was assaulted and barred from getting a Scheduled Tribe certificate by [[Vanniyar]] community in her village.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marx|first=Karal|date=27 July 2020|title=Tamil Nadu: Four assault Irula girl for seeking caste certificate|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/puducherry/tamil-nadu-four-assault-irula-girl-for-seeking-caste-certificate/articleshow/77191277.cms|access-date=21 November 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
* In Dharmapuri, Irula people were trashed and urinated upon by a mob who were infuriated by the marriage between an Irular man and a [[Vanniyar]] woman.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pramod Madhav|date=20 September 2021|title=Tamil Nadu: Irula tribe members say they were thrashed, urinated upon after inter-caste couple eloped|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/chennai/story/tamil-nadu-irula-tribe-members-thrashed-urinated-upon-inter-caste-marriage-1854828-2021-09-20|access-date=21 November 2021|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
* In 1993, the Rajakannu Vs. State of [[Tamil Nadu]] and Ors. was a case that was fought in the  High Court of Judicature at Madras ([[Madras High Court]]). It involved the death via [[torture]] of an Irular man held in custody for the false charge of theft at the Kammapuram Police Station in the [[Cuddalore district]] of Tamil Nadu. Three police officers were charged in the case for murder by the High Court despite the arguments given by prosecution to have the case be done in a Criminal court. The case was fought by [[K. Chandru]] and proved to be an important event for the Irular people as it led to the establishment of the பழங்குடி இருளர் பத்துகாப்பு சங்கம் (Eng. Palangudi Irular Pathugaappu Sangam) in 1996, the union is dedicated to the protection of the rights of the Irula people and has fought over 1,000 cases, mostly relating to false charges or [[Human rights]] violations.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Rajakannu v/s State of Tamil Nadu and Ors.|url=https://dakshalegal.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/rajakannu__vs_state_of_tamil_nadu_and_ors__0108199t940974com268564.pdf|language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Irula language]]
* [[Irula language]]
* [[Irula Nritham]]
* [[Tondaimandalam|Tondai Nadu]]
* [[Tondaimandalam|Tondai Nadu]]
* [[Jai Bhim (film)]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
===Sources===
*{{citation | last1=Zvelebil | first1=K. V. | title=Irula Riddles | journal=Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London | date=1979 | volume=42 | issue=2 | pages=361–368 | doi=10.1017/S0041977X00145926 | jstor=615027 | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/615027 }}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|Irula people}}
{{commons category|Irula people}}
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Irulas|volume=14| page=853 |short=x}}
* {{cite web | title=fwc news: Irula tribesmen and detector dogs help UF/IFAS and FWC remove pythons in Florida | website=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | date=23 January 2017 | url=http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2017/january/23/python-projects/ | access-date=23 September 2018 | archive-date=23 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235156/http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2017/january/23/python-projects/ | url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web | title=fwc news: Irula tribesmen and detector dogs help UF/IFAS and FWC remove pythons in Florida | website=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | date=23 January 2017 | url=http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2017/january/23/python-projects/ | access-date=23 September 2018}}
*{{cite web | title=One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers | website=msn.com | date=15 March 2017 | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085139/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-date=15 March 2017 | url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web | title=One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers | website=msn.com | date=15 March 2017 | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315085139/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-florida-agency-put-out-a-want-ad-for-python-killers/ar-AAogQhZ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp | archive-date=15 March 2017 | url-status=dead}}
*[http://zs.thulb.uni-jena.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/jportal_derivate_00036471/wp_2007_031.pdf "Building a better Rat Trap: Technological Innovation, Human Capital and the Irular" - Economic Research Paper about the Irula]
*[http://zs.thulb.uni-jena.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/jportal_derivate_00036471/wp_2007_031.pdf "Building a better Rat Trap: Technological Innovation, Human Capital and the Irular" - Economic Research Paper about the Irula]
* [http://kerala.gov.in/docs/publication/2014/kc/march/34.pdf "Irular: The Seekers of light" - Article by G. S. Unnikrishnan Nair in ''Kerala Calling'' March 2014]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://kerala.gov.in/docs/publication/2014/kc/march/34.pdf "Irular: The Seekers of light" - Article by G. S. Unnikrishnan Nair in ''Kerala Calling'' March 2014]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}


[[Category:Tamil society]]
[[Category:Social groups of India]]
[[Category:Social groups of Kerala]]
[[Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Social groups of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Social groups of Puducherry]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Kerala]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Kerala]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Tamil Nadu]]

Latest revision as of 12:13, 15 March 2026


Irula
Irula men from the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, c.1871
Total population
213,641[1] (2011 census)
Regions with significant populations
 India
Tamil Nadu189,621
Kerala23,721
Karnataka10,259
Languages
Irula
Religion
Hinduism,[2] Traditional religion, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Soliga, Tamil, Yerukala

Irula, (Natively: ër̠la/ïr̠la, Template:Ipa)[3] also known as Iruliga, are a Dravidian ethnic group inhabiting the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, and parts of Kerala and Karnataka.[4] A scheduled tribe, their population in this region is estimated at around 200,000 people.[5][6] People of Irula ethnicity are called Irular, and speak Irula, which belongs to the Dravidian languages family.[7]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Irula is derived from the term iruḷ "black" and -a/iga "people".[8][9]

Society[edit | edit source]

The Irula society is divided into four tribes– Vete Kadu Irulas, Male Nadu Irula, Urali and Kasava, of whom the former two intermarry hence forming three endogamous units.[3] While majority of the Irula are illiterate, they possess a oral tradition, significant part of which are riddles.[3]

Distribution and religion[edit | edit source]

The tribe numbers around 200,000 spread across three states: 189,621 in Tamil Nadu, 23,721 in Kerala and 10,259 in Karnataka. Those in Karnataka are named Iruligas. The Irulas are mainly concentrated in northern Tamil Nadu: in a wedge extending from Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in the west to Ariyalur and Cuddalore districts in the south and Tiruvallur district in the north. Small populations live in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts and were classified by Thurston as a different population. In Kerala, the Irulas are in Palakkad district, while in Karnataka they are concentrated in Ramanagara, Chamarajanagara and Bangalore districts.[1]

The Irula people practice some sort of Animism where they primarily believe in a goddess named Inga who lives with her six sisters worshipped in the form of stones under trees. The Irula people traditionally believe that these 7 sisters created the first Irula man and woman. This traditional concept of seven goddesses was Sanskritised as Sapta Matrika. The Irula people also believe in ancestral spirits, and they traditionally believe that Kannipe (spirits of virgin girls) can possess anyone. These kannipe spirits are worshipped as guardian deities of villages by Irula tribals. The Irula also believe in the presence of evil spirits known as Pe who can possess and haunt people. In order to keep these spirits away, a rooster is sacrificed and offered to them. Many Irula people worship Hindu gods and also take part in Hindu festivals. Some Irulas have also been converted to Christianity.[citation needed]

Language[edit | edit source]

The Irula speak the Irula language, a Dravidian language that is closely related to Tamil.[10]

Economy[edit | edit source]

Irula man and woman tilling the soil.
Irala rat catchers, Tamil Nadu

Traditionally, the main occupation of the Irulas has been snake and rat catching, and honey collection. They also work as labourers[11] (coolies) in the fields of the landlords during the sowing and harvesting seasons or in the rice mills. Fishing and cattle farm is also a major occupation.

Rats destroy a quarter of the grain grown on Tamil Nadu-area farms annually. To combat this pest, Irula men use a traditional earthen pot fumigation method. Smoke is blown through their mouths, which leads to severe respiratory and heart problems.[5]

In January 2017, Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal from the Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu were brought in, along with two translators, to work with detection dogs to track down and capture invasive Burmese pythons in Key Largo, Florida.[12] The Irula men and their translators were paid $70,000 by the State of Florida, and captured 14 pythons in less than two weeks.[13]

Caste discrimination[edit | edit source]

Irula people face severe discrimination and harassment from other castes and numerous such cases are reported every year.

  • In 2020, a girl named Dhanalaxmi was assaulted and barred from getting a Scheduled Tribe certificate by Vanniyar community in her village.[14]
  • In Dharmapuri, Irula people were trashed and urinated upon by a mob who were infuriated by the marriage between an Irular man and a Vanniyar woman.[15]
  • In 1993, the Rajakannu Vs. State of Tamil Nadu and Ors. was a case that was fought in the High Court of Judicature at Madras (Madras High Court). It involved the death via torture of an Irular man held in custody for the false charge of theft at the Kammapuram Police Station in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. Three police officers were charged in the case for murder by the High Court despite the arguments given by prosecution to have the case be done in a Criminal court. The case was fought by K. Chandru and proved to be an important event for the Irular people as it led to the establishment of the பழங்குடி இருளர் பத்துகாப்பு சங்கம் (Eng. Palangudi Irular Pathugaappu Sangam) in 1996, the union is dedicated to the protection of the rights of the Irula people and has fought over 1,000 cases, mostly relating to false charges or Human rights violations.[16]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix". censusindia.gov.in. Government of India. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  2. ↑ "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Zvelebil (1979).
  4. ↑ Perialwar, R. (1979), Phonology of Irula with Vocabulary, Annamalai University
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 World Bank grant to improve standard of living for rat-catchers
  6. ↑ Irula Project Proposal and site report
  7. ↑ President gives nod to add Puducherry's Irular community in the Scheduled Tribes list
  8. ↑ https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Irulas
  9. ↑ https://kolichala.com/DEDR/search.php?esb=1&q=2552&lsg=0&emb=0&meaning=&tgt=unicode2
  10. ↑ "People of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve". Keystone Foundation. 2006. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
  11. ↑ "Criminalizing Scheduled Tribes in Post Independence State". Article 51-A. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  12. ↑ Snake hunters from India are the latest weapons in Florida’s war on pythons
  13. ↑ One Florida agency put out a want ad for python killers
  14. ↑ Marx, Karal (27 July 2020). "Tamil Nadu: Four assault Irula girl for seeking caste certificate". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  15. ↑ Pramod Madhav (20 September 2021). "Tamil Nadu: Irula tribe members say they were thrashed, urinated upon after inter-caste couple eloped". India Today. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  16. ↑ "Rajakannu v/s State of Tamil Nadu and Ors" (PDF).

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