| Group: | Devendrakulam |
Devendrakulam (also referred to as Devendrar and Devendrakuka Velalar)is an umbrella term for seven castes in the state of Tamil Nadu such as Devendrakulathar, Kadaiyar, Kalladi, Kudumbar, Pallar, Pannadi and Vathiriyar, after the bill amending the list of Scheduled Castes list belonging to the state in the Tamil Nadu as per the conditions of Article 341 in the Part 16 of the Constitution of India at the Parliament of India in 2021.[1]
The demand of merging castes such as Devendrakulathar, Kadaiyar, Kalladi, Kudumbar, Pallar, Pannadi and Vathiriyar in the Scheduled Castes list and the castes such as Kaladi and Moopar in the Other Backward Class list in the state of Tamil Nadu into an umbrella term called "Devendrakula Velalar" and delisting them to Other Backward Class arose.[2]
Before the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, the Government of Tamil Nadu under M. Karunanidhi constituted an one man commission under the chairmanship of Justice Jannarthanam to study and submit a report on the demand. However post elections, with the change in power in the state, the demand did not proceed further.[3]
But with the increasing agitations and protests from the people, Puthiya Tamilagam and Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam parties and various caste organisations the demand gained pace. The demand was supported by Pattali Makkal Katchi, Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress. Before the 2019 Indian general election, the Government of Tamil Nadu under Edappadi K. Palaniswami constituted a commission under the chairmanship of Hansraj Varma IAS to study and report on the issue.[4] [5] [6] [7]
The demand even gained pace with the community members boycotting the Nanguneri bypoll in October 2021 where the community had a significant population.[8] [9]
The Hansraj Varma commission submitted the report to the Government of Tamil Nadu with their report justifying the proposal. Then the Parliament of India passed a bill for the merger of the seven sub castes in 2021 with the President of India giving it an assent, making it a law in India. However the opposition parties argued that the decision was made only in favour of attracting the sizeable vote bank of the community in Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Thiruvarur, Tiruchirapalli, Karur, Dindigul, Nagapattianm, Thanjavur, Madurai and Sivaganga districts.[10] [11]
In June 2021, the Government of Tamil Nadu under M. K. Stalin released a G.O to release community certificates under the new nomenclature listed in no.17 of Tamil Nadu Scheduled Caste list with the deletion of entries to Pallar, Kudumbar, Vathiriyar, Kalladi, Kadaiyar and Pannadi.[12] [13] The change was notified in the Indian Union gazette of castes by the Government of India.[14] [15]
However the demand of delisting them to Other Backward Class is not met yet.[16] For the 2024 Indian general election, Pattali Makkal Katchi which was a part of National Democratic Alliance declared in its manifesto for the polls that the community would be delisted from Scheduled Castes to Other Backward Class in the Union list.[17]
The Devendrakulam community traditionally celebrate and initiate the temple car festivals at various major historic temples, such as the
and the decorated flower palanquin at Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram.[24]
Apart from the temple car initiation at the Perur Pateeswarar Temple, the Seedling Planting festival has been celebrated by the community along the banks of Noyyal River. The festival is conducted in the month of Aani. The ritual forms a part of Indra festival. The festival has its reference from the "Perur Puranam" by Kachiappa Munivar.[25] [26]
Indra Vizha, was a historical Hindu festival that was celebrated in Tamilakam during the Sangam period (2nd century BCE – 3rd century CE). It was celebrated in honour of Vendhan (Indra), the deity associated with the Marutham landscape.[27] In the contemporary period, the festivities associated with the agricultural Indra Vila are primarily associated with the occasion of Bhogi Pongal, the day dedicated to Indra, and preserving all the elements of the seasonal festival.[28] [29] Locally, the Indra Vila is conducted at the Kamatchi Amman temple at the Kallimadai locality near Singanallur in Coimbatore every year.[30] The Venkudai (White umbrella) festival, depicting the white umbrella and the Airavata of Indra, is conducted every year at Rajapalayam, in commemoration of the ancient Indra Vila.[31]
As per the 2011 Census of India, the community constitutes 4% of the population of Tamilnadu.[32]