In a recent development, the use of the term ‘Kadayakudi’ by the Kayalpattinam Muslim Ikkiya Peravai to refer to the fishermen from Kombuthurai in a note expressing gratitude to officials has reignited tensions between the Christian and Muslim communities in Kayalpattinam. As a response to this controversy, the fishermen chose to refrain from venturing into the sea on Monday and have called upon Minister for Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Anitha Radhakrishnan, to intervene and help resolve the dispute amicably.
According to sources, three fishermen from the Kombuthurai fishing hamlet recently converted to Islam. Following their conversion, the Kayalpattinam Muslim Ikkiya Peravai came forward to support these individuals after they were ousted from another fishermen’s association by the Christian fishers. Moreover, they faced difficulties in obtaining tractors to assist in launching their boats into the sea. Consequently, the Peravai purchased a tractor for the three newly converted fishermen. The tension escalated when some members of the Muslim community began referring to the Kombuthurai hamlet as ‘Kadayakudi,’ a name that appears in official revenue records but is not commonly used. This tension led to a halt in fishing activities in the area in mid-September.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, a peace talk was organized by Tiruchendur RDO last Thursday, during which the Kombuthurai fishermen agreed to resume fishing from Monday. They also passed a resolution, requesting the Peravai to refrain from using the term ‘Kadayakudi’ when referring to Kombuthurai, as the matter is currently under legal consideration. However, despite this agreement, the Kayalpattinam Muslim Ikkiya Peravai once again used ‘Kadayakudi’ in a note expressing their gratitude to the RDO, tahsildar, revenue, and fisheries officials for their efforts in mediating peace between the communities. This action drew widespread criticism on social media and did not sit well with the Christian fishermen.
In response to this development, the Kombuthurai fishermen, who had initially planned to resume fishing on Monday, initiated another round of strikes on that day. Additionally, women from Kombuthurai submitted a petition to the collector, expressing their concerns regarding the Peravai’s actions.
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It is worth noting that the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, on July 29, 2021, issued specific instructions while hearing a petition related to the name change of Kombuthurai village to ‘Kadayakui’ in Kayalpattinam South. The court directed government authorities to make any changes to the village’s name only after hearing the opinions of all relevant parties. Furthermore, the court issued an interim injunction, preventing the district administration from removing the name board of Kombuthurai village.
In a previous legal matter dated October 9, 2020, the Madurai Bench resolved a petition filed by SA Stephan of Pattangattiar, seeking a directive to change the name of Kombuthurai village, as current revenue documents listed it as ‘Kadayakudi.’
