Elderly Kerala Tribal Couple Who Opened A Library Ousted By Community

An elderly Kerala tribal couple who had opened a library in the Idukki forest area of the state are now being shunned by their own community.

After an “oorukoottam” (meeting of the village), the couple were ousted from their home for helping in writing a book that shows the community in a poor light.

The couple, PV Chinnathambi (77) and Maniyamma (62) were hailed by PM Narendra Modi for opening a library in their community in his first “Mann Ki Baat” radio telecast after he came back to power. Along with the teacher and writer, PK Muraleedharan, met the Minister of SC/ST Welfare AK Balan on Thursday who has given the assurance that help will be given to them.

“The minister told us that he will speak to Devikulum MLA, S Rajendran. The couple is unable to go back to their hamlet,” Muraleedharan told NDTV. The couple is living with the writer’s friend at the moment and he expressed his concern about their wellbeing.

“I heard about the issue The Tribal community alleges that Muralee has written a book showcasing the tribe in a bad light. I have known Chinnathambi for a long time. I am sure he will not do such things. I will talk to the Panchayat officials who were involved in this,” Rajendran was reported saying this by The Business Standard.

Muraleedharan had helped Chinnathambi in forming a small library in the latter’s tea shop which had garnered appreciation in Modi’s weekly radio programme. The collection of books was then shifted to a primary school nearby.

The couple is accused of helping Muraleedharan in a book that allegedly shows the Muthuvan Tribal Community, where the couple hails from, in a bad light. The writer had stated that he had consulted many people before penning down his book.

“It is shameful that such practices even exist in this country. If I have written something wrong, which I have not, the Tribal community can move to court. Let the court decide, Muraleedharan was quoted saying this by NDTV about how there are legal remedies available to solve this issue instead of shunning the couple from their home.

The students of the school where Muraleedharan was a teacher, are also affected by this controversy.

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