Catholic clergy demand fair representation of fishermen in polls

Catholic clergy rarely involve themselves in parishioners’ secular activities except for the occasional christening, marriage or the rarer baptism. But when a major issue confronts the community, it is to them that people turn and their writ then runs large. This is especially true in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts where the Catholic clergy are the last word on ticklish issues. 

Thus the Kanyakumari-based South Asian Fishermen’s Fraternity (SAFF) general secretary Fr Churchill IVD has threatened to not vote for major political parties in the ensuing elections if they fail to give representation for people from the fishermen’s community.

The SAFF has also demanded that Killiyur, Colachel and Kanyakumari be declared fishermen’s constituency on rotational basis. “This is not new as Kollencode and Villavancode were meant for fishermen on rotation till 1956 when Kanyakumari district was part of Travancore state,” Fr Churchill said.

He wondered why both the Dravidian majors were reluctant to put up a candidate from the community despite knowing the problems they faced. Stating that he was not against the parties, he said, “We are against their concept which is caste- based as both parties consider caste calculations alone without understanding that we need somebody to represent the fishermen.” After Kanyakumari became part of Tamil Nadu, Lourdammal Simon was elected from Colachel in 1957 and she went on to be fisheries minister and the first woman minister.

“But after her, neither the Congress nor DMK provided representation for the community for 40 years and 36 years respectively,” he added. 

Stating that the demand for fishermen’s constituency was based on reality, he said, “Killiyur has 57,667 voters, Colachel 42,000 voters, Nagercoil 28,000 voters and Kanyakumari 45, 000 voters belonging to this community.

“Though the Tamil Nadu Government enacted a GO (Government Order, Fisheries Department, 916/1986) to ensure a separate constituency for fishermen in Kanyakumari district, to provide alternative employment for fishermen during the off season and selection of youth to the state police, these were not followed in the last 30 years”, Fr Churchill said. 

Their other demands of SAFF include ST status for fishermen, separate fishermen’s ministry in the union government, helipad, helicopter and a speed boat for rescue of fishermen in Kanyakumari district, declaring sea erosion a national calamity and payment of compensation and Rs10 lakh compensation for fishermen who die at sea.