Lok Sabha Question No. 2955 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-08
Subject: Koraga Community Issues
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2955

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 08/08/2024

## KORAGA COMMUNITY ISSUES

## 2955 SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that the Koraga tribal group in North Kerala and Karnataka are facing discrimination not only due to their tribal identity but also linguistic and occupational identities and are also forbidden from entering non-Koraga houses and temples;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(c)whether the Union Government has proposed any special packages, schemes/plans to address their issues and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the State Government of Kerala in this regard; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a)  to  (c): The  Government  of  Karnataka  has  stated  that  the  Koraga  Tribal  community  is primarily found in the urban areas of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Traditionally, they have been basket makers and labourers, with some members also employed as scavengers. Over the years, majority of the community has moved out of the forests and now resides in urban areas. They are no longer dependent on the forests for their livelihood.

Koraga is primarily a spoken language and is generally not written form. When it is written, the Kannada language   script is used. The Koraga people are generally conversant in Tulu and Kannada and therefore use these languages as mediums for producing literature.

The Koraga people have been subjected to a practice known as ajalu, which the Government of  Karnataka  defined  as  "differentiating  Koraga  people  from  persons  belonging  to  other communities, treating them as inferior human beings, mixing hair, nails, and other inedible obnoxious  substances  in  their  food.  They  were  also  made  to  run  like  buffaloes  before  the beginning of Kambala event" Ajalu has been considered inhuman and was prohibited in 2000 by the Karnataka Koragas (Prohibition of Ajalu Practice) Act, 2000. Violations of the Act are punishable by imprisonment for a term between six months and five years, as well as a cash penalty.

The Protection of  Civil Rights  Act, 1955,  and  the  Scheduled  Castes  and  Scheduled  Tribes (Prevention  of  Atrocities)  Act,  1989,  address  issues  of  untouchability  and  discrimination, providing  legal  recourse  for  ST  individuals  facing  such  practices.  The  act  aims  to  protect Koraga (ST) individuals from social injustices and ensure their dignity and equality.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Muzrai) Department has warned temples Management to take severe action in cases of any discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Government has taken several   initiatives and programmes for promoting the socio-economic development  of  ST  communities.  Additionally,  schemes  aimed  at  healthcare,  housing,  and livelihood support have contributed to the overall upliftment of these communities.

Currently, such instances have not been reported.  However, District level officers and Taluk level officers of Tribal Welfare Department regularly visit colonies to provide basic facilities and also creating awareness among other committees towards tribals.

The Government of Kerala has stated that the people of Koraga community reside in Kasargod district in Kerala. In Manjeshwaram and Kasargod Taluks of Kasargod District, 583 Koraga families are residing in 62 Colonies. This PVTG group has a population of 1668 . They collect raw materials from forest for making Baskets and other articles. There are no issues/ complaints reported about discrimination due to tribal identity or linguistic or occupational identity etc. and also there are no reports regarding them being forbidden from entering any temples and non Koraga houses.

No Special package formulated particularly for Koraga community in Kerala state. As part of PMJANMAN scheme, Koraga settlements in Kasargod are being saturated by providing roads, House construction, internet connectivity, drinking water facilities , Digitalized documentation of  basic  records,  electriciy  etc.  A  Multi  Purpose  Centre  (  60  lakh  rupees)  is  sanctioned  at Thimmangurane hamlet in Kasargod district in this scheme. 30 new houses approved under PMAY-G scheme for Koraga families in convergence with PMJANMAN Scheme. Apart from this, a new community study centre of 25 lakhs rupees is under construction at Badiyadukka, Kasargod district during 2020- 21 which is 100 % centrally sponsored scheme for Development of PVTG communities. Inorder to improve livelihood, training programme was conducted in Enmakage  gramapanchayth  in  Kasargod  district  by  ST  department  through  CMD(agency) during 2015-16. This programme was financially supported by development of PVTG(CCD) scheme.

(d) & (e ): No proposal has been received from the State Government of Kerala.

*****