Country: India

Group: Arunthathiyar

Date Finalized: November 16, 2023

Team: Lori Francis (lead), Likith Munigala, Hajer Rahee, Kate Edwards, Khulan Davaasuren, Autumn Towne

Content Warning: slavery, oppression, sexual assault

Approximate Time Period: 19th century – present

The Arunthathiyar caste in India, particularly the Chakkiliyan subgroup, has historically faced systemic oppression and forced labor (Bhalla, 2015). Originating from western Tamil Nadu, they were originally pig hunters and rearers but were later relegated to the status of landless agricultural laborers and industrial workers, depending on intermediate castes for employment. The term “Chakkliyar” is derogatory and used to refer to the entire caste.

Evidence of forced labor is prevalent, with over 100,000 girls and women, predominantly from poor, illiterate, and lower-caste communities like Arunthathiyar, working as bonded labor in textile mills in Tamil Nadu (Bhalla, 2015).  Economic liberalization since the early 1990s exacerbated the issue. Recruits are promised a better life but face exploitation, low wages, abuse, and restricted freedom.

Children, especially girls, are often used as bonded laborers when parents are unable to repay loans, leading to de facto slavery. Companies trick women into factory work, exposing them to volatile and abusive situations.

Despite policies like the Bonded Labor Act of 1976 and improved factory inspections, the situation persists (Celeti, 2015). The historical context reveals their origins as skilled workers reduced to dependency on intermediate castes.

In summary, the Arunthathiyar, especially the Chakkiliyan subgroup, have experienced a long history of forced labor, exploitation, and sexual assault, with evidence spanning economic, social, and gender dimensions.

Data Quality 2/3 : There are quite a number of reputable sources online but not too many regarding present-day sources

Sources

  1. Arunthathiyar. (2023). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arunthathiyar&oldid=1180516211
  2. Bhalla, N. (2015, August 6). FEATURE-Captured by cotton: Girls duped into “bonded labour” in India’s textile mills. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/india-textiles-women-idUSL5N10F3IF20150806
  3. Celeti, A. (2015). Education or Debt Bondage: Is Social Change Possible for the Arunthathiyar Caste in Salem, Tamil Nadu? Journal of Education, 2(3).
  4. Gurusamy, S. (2019). EMPOWERMENT OF MARGINALIZED CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS. MJP Publisher.
  5. Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Arunthathiyar. Wikipedia. Retrieved on November 01, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arunthathiyar
  6. Bahalla, N. (2015, August 6). Captured by Cotton: Girls Duped into Bonded Labour in India’s Textile Mills. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/india-textiles-women/feature-captured-by-cotton-girls-duped-into-bonded-labour-in-indias-textile-mills-idUSL5N10F3IF20150806