Text of the D.O. letter dated 16.11.2012 addressed by Selvi J Jayalalithaa, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India is reproduced below :-
“I would like to draw your kind attention to an appeal made by the Nadar Community in Tamil Nadu to remove objectionable references in the Social Studies book prescribed for Class IX in the CBSE schools. The textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi, in Chapter VIII deals with “Clothing: A Social History”. In this Chapter in the sub-heading “Transformation in Colonial India”, a reference is made to “Caste Conflict and Dress Change” in para 4.1 in page 168, wherein many derogatory statements have been made about the Nadar community.
Contrary to the information given in the text, the Nadars are the original inhabitants of the Kanyakumari District. The Kumari District is what remains of the sunken Kumari Continent which is the cradle of Tamil Civilisation. This is corroborated by the Tholkappiam and Silappathikaram literatures. Two famous Tamil poets, namely, Tholkappiar and Athanakottu Asan were born in this district. Moreover, the said text has neglected the struggles of Aiyya Vaikundar in the “Upper Cloth Revolt” and also his social reforms.
The Nadars are said to be descendants of those who ruled the Cheran, Cholan and Pandyan Kingdoms. The traditions followed by the Nelamaikkarars (Nadans) and the existence of the ruins beneath the Teri palmrya forests of Tiruchendur and the Pandyan capital city of Korkai, where the Nadar population is predominant, suggest they could very well be the heirs of the Early Pandyas. Two inscriptions at Kallidaikurichi suggest that in medieval times, the Nadars served as administrators and accountants for both the Chera and Pandya Kingdoms. Thus, the Nadar community is not a lower caste as mentioned in the CBSE book. Rather, they have been rulers of South India at one point of time.
The social and economical development achieved by the Nadars over the years is commendable. Their success in the fields of education and business can be attributed to their hard work and determination. Great leaders including Shri.K.Kamaraj belonged to this community and their contribution to Society is immeasurable.
Representations have been made to me by various associations belonging to the Nadar community condemning the inclusion of such objectionable references about their community.
The incorrect details given in the textbook are very misleading and may leave a wrong impression in the minds of the students about the said community.
May I, therefore, request you to intervene in the matter and advise the concerned Ministry to take immediate action to remove the topic “Caste Conflict and Dress Change” from Chapter VIII of the IX Std. Social Studies CBSE Text Book published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi?”
Issued by : Director, Information & Public Relations, Chennai – 9.
