At a conference organized by the Tamil Fishermen Federation (Tamil Meenavar Kootamaipu) in Madurai, members of the fisherfolk community advocated for their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, aligning with the Mandal Commission recommendation. The conference addressed the longstanding issues faced by the fishing community and highlighted the need for socio-economic empowerment through political representation and recognition of their contributions.
Antonio Gomas, President of the All India Fishermen Association, emphasized that the fishing community remains one of the least developed in the country since India gained independence. He stressed that the underrepresentation of their community in the political sphere has resulted in their voices going unheard and has impacted their representation in decision-making bodies.
The conference also shed light on the challenges faced by the children of the fishing community, who often struggle to reach top positions in the government sector due to a lack of resources for education. Rajini, President of the federation, emphasized the significant role of fish in the Indian economy and proposed its recognition as the national food.
The call for recognition extends beyond symbolism, as Rajini highlighted the potential benefits for fishermen in various aspects. She emphasized the importance of providing separate reservations for the fishing community in education and employment opportunities as a crucial step towards improving their socio-economic status.