Ethnographic study suggests political, economic support measures for Nadaf, Pinjara communities
Bengaluru: An ethnographic study has recommended a range of political, economic, educational and health-related interventions to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Nadaf and Pinjara communities, sub-groups within the Muslim community classified under the most backward category of the OBC list in Karnataka.
As per a report published by Deccan Herald, the year-long study was conducted by a team led by anthropology professor T T Basavangouda of Karnatak University. The study proposes measures like political reservation from local bodies to Parliament, government-supported group housing, health safeguards for workers, and dedicated scholarships and financial assistance for students, artists and sportspersons. The study was carried out at a cost of ₹45.46 lakh, as reported by Deccan Herald.
According to the report, while most Muslim sub-groups fall under Category 2B of the OBC list, communities such as Nadafs, Pinjaras, Bazigars and Darvesh are placed in Category 1, which comprises the most backward communities. Traditionally engaged in cotton carding, members of the Nadaf and Pinjara communities are increasingly moving to other occupations due to economic constraints and livelihood challenges.
The study groups its recommendations under economic, educational, health and political-social parameters. It suggests modernising cotton carding through skill-based training, providing land for constructing ventilated godowns to enable employment generation, and facilitating access to alternative livelihoods. On the education front, the report calls for scholarships, monthly financial assistance for sportspersons, remedial education programmes and counselling services to address the high dropout rate.
It has also urged the government to relocate families from these communities living in slum areas to cleaner residential environments and to launch awareness campaigns on occupational health risks, including respiratory and lung diseases caused by prolonged exposure to cotton particles.
The report was submitted to the Vice-Chancellor of the university on Friday and is set to be forwarded to the D Devaraj Urs Research Institute under the Backward Classes Welfare Department, after which it will be placed before the state government for consideration.
Similar ethnographic studies have also been commissioned for eight nomadic communities listed under the OBC category, including Shikkaligar, Gopala, Baazigar, Nandiwaala-Joshi-Pulmaal, Geesadi, Haavadiga, Gaarudiga and Bailu Pattara. Nomadic communities in Karnataka are represented across the OBC, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe lists.
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Vijay slams Stalin, says CM''s real friends are ''bribe, corruption''
Vellore (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Launching yet another scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, TVK founder Vijay on Monday alleged that the DMK president's real friends are "bribe, corruption, and eyeing political gains."
Vijay, who has been mounting sharp attacks against the DMK and Stalin in particular, dared the CM to declare his assets disclosing the financial status before he stepped into politics.
"What was the source. Was it your hard earned money or it was amassed after you came to power? Can you declare it openly," the actor asked the CM and added that if he raised the issue of corruption, then all corrupt elements would "fling mud on us."
But he was not concerned about that because people know about him.
He also accused the chief minister of making false promises to the people and sought to debunk the governing party's claim of having developed the Tamil Nadu into a "superstar state".
He alleged Stalin's "real friends are bribe, corruption, and eyeing political gains."
The CM and the ruling party has often said that the state registered, under the DMK rule, double-digit economic growth rate of 11.19 per cent (2024-25).
Addressing a meeting of party functionaries here, Vijay termed the Assembly polls due in April this year as a "surprising election" as all parties in the state are allegedly teamed up against him and reiterated that the contest was between the DMK and TVK only.
Flaying the DMK's poll narrative of polls as a fight between "Tamil Nadu and Delhi--NDA," he said the battle was actually between the state's people and corruption and alleged that the DMK government was "inept."
The Assembly election is "a war between Vijay and Stalin," he said, and reiterated his refrain that TVK is a "pure force" and accused the DMK yet again as an "evil force".
Rejecting the DMK's claim of having developed Tamil Nadu into a superstar state, Vijay, the chief of the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) said that the state was "such a superb" on during the times of iconic leaders K Kamaraj, CN Annadurai and M G Ramachandran.
Dubbing the DMK regime as "good-for-nothing ulta model government," he alleged the state has been transformed into a super-standup comedian-run state.
The TVK chief, targeting the CM again, said that he was not concerned about his personal life.
"Be what you want to be. But your governance is flawed and not required for TN," he alleged.
The actor-politician claimed that Tamil Nadu meant Vijay and he represented the entire state.
Referring to Stalin's statement that he had no foes in politics and that all were his friends, Vijay asked, "then why blame me for Karur stampede," referring to the tragedy during a TVK rally that killed 41 persons and injured many.
Further, he asked: "Why refuse venue and permission for TVK (rallies and events), if we are friends...you did everything and blamed us for Karur tragedy."
Praising people for superb clarity, he said he would visit every village and personally meet the people once the TVK formed the government following a huge win in the 2026 Assembly election.
Vijay, who arrived to a rousing reception by party workers at Agaramcheri village near the Pallikonda toll plaza on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway in this district, administered a pledge to the TVK members.
"No one can buy us, our vote is for (party symbol) whistle. We won't believe anyone and get deceived. We won't deviate from our words. This is the truth," Vijay said and asked his party workers to repeat after him.
Vijay reiterated that the TVK's stand was secularism and social justice.
He continued to wear his trademark white shirt and a sandal-like mild coloured trouser, while sporting his usual stubble.
