‘Long standing demand of Devendrakula Vellalars fulfilled’: PM Modi

Prime Minister arrived in Chennai on Sunday (February 14) to inaugurate the second phase of the Chennai Metro rail project costing ₹3770 crores and also to lay the foundation stones for various developmental projects.

During his speech, the Prime Minister spoke about a variety of development works and the initiatives taken by his government for the welfare of Tamil Nadu.

Speaking about the recent move of the Centre introducing the bill to regroup and rename the 7 sub-castes under the Scheduled Caste community as ‘Devendrakula Vellalars’, the Prime Minister said that the long standing demand of the community has been fulfilled.

“Today, I have a delightful message to convey to the Devendrakula Vellalar sisters and brothers in Tamil Nadu. The Central Government has accepted their long standing demand to be known as ‘Devendrakula Vellalar. They will now be known by their heritage name and not the 6-7 names listed in the Schedule of the Constitution”, PM Modi said.

“The draft gazette to amend the Constitution Schedule to correct their name as Devendrakula Vellalar has been approved by the Central Government. It will be placed before the Parliament before the start of the next session”, PM Modi added.

Crediting the Tamil Nadu government for the study undertaken to take forward the demands of the Devendrakula Vellalar community, Prime Minister Modi said, “I want to specially thank the Government of Tamil Nadu for the detailed study done on this demand. Their support to the demand has been long standing.”

The Prime Minister also reminisced his meeting with the representatives of the community that happened back in 2015 in Delhi. “Their sadness could be seen. Colonial rulers took away their pride and dignity. For decades, nothing happened. They told me, they pleaded and prayed to governments but nothing changed. I told them one thing. I said that their name Devendra rhymes with my own name Narendra and I understand their emotions”, Prime Minister Modi said.

He also said that this decision is more than a change of name adding that it is about justice, dignity and opportunity. “We all have lots to learn from the culture of the Devendrakula Vellalar community. They celebrate harmony, friendship and brotherhood. There was a civilizational movement. It shows their self-confidence and self-pride, ‘Atma Gaurav’ “.

Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar on Saturday (February 13), introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in the State of Tamil Nadu.

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021, seeks to regroup the seven Scheduled Caste sub-castes — Pallar, Kudumbar, Kadaiyar, Pannadi, Kaaladi, Vadhiriyar, and Devendrakulathar — as ‘Devendrakula Vellalar’ community.

The Devendrakula Vellalars have been asking for regrouping of Pallar, Pannadi, Kudumbar, Kaaladi, Kadaiyar, Mooppar/Vadhiriyar and Devendrakulathar under one title –  ‘Devendrakula Vellalar’. Puthiya Tamilagam party headed by Dr. Krishnasamy has been fighting for the last 30 years to unite the 7 sub-sects under one name and be called as Devendrakula Vellalars. Swimming against the tide, the community has also been demanding for their removal from the list of Scheduled Castes.

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