After The Mooknayak’s Report, Neelam Cultural Centre Steps In— A Ray of Hope for Sriperumbudur’s Irulas

Sriperumbudur/Kanchipuram- After The Mooknayak report on February 19 highlighted the dire conditions of Irula families in Sriperumbudur in Kanchipuram district , a wave of solidarity has emerged. S. Vengatesan, a volunteer from the Neelam Cultural Centre, approached ARAN Voluntary Organization, which has been working closely with the Irula community in the region.

Irulas are one of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) in India. In the Northern Parts of Tamil Nadu, Irulas are in a considerable number.

Moved by the report elaborating the plight of the community, Vengatesan and his team visited the hamlets on Sunday, spoke to the residents, and pledged to take their grievances to the concerned authorities. They visited the 4 Irula Tribal hamlets i.e. Sivanthangal, Chellaperumal Nagar, Chinna Yerikkarai and Periya Yerikkarai. The team interacted with the people about their livelihood.

"We will be meeting the officials of the Tribal Welfare Department and ensuring that these issues are addressed on priority. We also plan to document the struggles of the Irula community through a detailed documentary," Vengatesan told The Mooknayak.

Suryamohan K., a volunteer at ARAN, elaborated on the pressing concerns raised by the Irula families. "The primary issue here is the scarcity of drinking water. Those who can afford it buy water from private tankers that make weekly rounds. They store this water in plastic barrels, using it sparingly for drinking and cooking. But many cannot afford even this and are forced to fetch water from nearby ponds, which are often contaminated and unfit for consumption," he explained.

The children often fall sick and are not able to attend school and evening classes run by the organisation.

Another grave issue is domestic violence, fueled by rampant alcoholism among men in the community. "Many women here are the sole breadwinners. Whatever little the men earn, they spend on alcohol. Women work tirelessly to support their children and manage the household. Without stable housing and economic independence, their struggles will persist," Suryamohan added.

Housing: The Crux of the Issue

The lack of proper housing remains at the root of most socio-economic problems in these settlements. "Without stable homes, women cannot be liberated or made self-reliant. Small-scale cottage industries cannot be established in such unhygienic conditions, as no one would buy their products. Once they have proper homes, they can begin to rebuild their lives with dignity," Suryamohan asserted.

On February 19, the District Collector visited Sriperumbudur Taluk as part of the government's Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril (Reaching You in Your Village) program. The Irula families inquired about the status of their housing, and the Collector assured them that construction would begin within 15 days. However, these promises seem hollow. "Since October 2024, all that has happened is land marking. In the past 100 days, no real progress has been made—only paperwork," Surya Mohan noted with disappointment.

Neelam Cultural Centre Extends Solidarity

With the Neelam Cultural Centre stepping in, there is renewed hope among the Irula families. Known for its work in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, Neelam is determined to bring national attention to the Irula people's struggle for basic human rights.

Neelam Cultural Centre is a collective of artists, activists, and cultural practitioners, founded by filmmaker Pa. Ranjith. The platform aims to create public discourse around social injustice and caste discrimination through art, cinema, and literature. Inspired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of social justice, Neelam also draws from movements like the Black Arts Movement, which played a crucial role in the Black liberation struggle.

"We believe that culture and storytelling have the power to bring change. By documenting the struggles of the Irula people, we hope to build pressure on the administration and mobilize support for their rights," Vengatesan stated.

As the Irula families wait for the promises of housing to materialize, their fight for dignity continues. With Neelam’s involvement and persistent efforts by grassroots organizations like ARAN, the demand for justice grows louder. The question remains—how long will the government’s assurances remain mere words on paper?