A Study on The Victimization of The Women in The Narikuravar Community of Madurai District

Victim     

Under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, by virtue of Act 5 of 2009, the definition of “victim” was added by way of section 2(wa) to mean a person who has suffered any loss or injury caused by reason of the act or omission for which the accused person has been charged and the expression “victim” includes his or her guardian or legal heir. [1]

Narikuravargal

The Narikuravars are a semi-nomadic tribal community primarily found in Tamil Nadu. The name Narikuravargal can be divided into two words, Nari (fox) and Kuravar (a nomadic or tribal community) where the fox in their first name connects to the practice of observing animal behavior, especially foxes, to make fortune predictions of the future. Foxes were often considered religious creatures with the ability to sense upcoming events. The Narikuravargal probably evolved from the larger Kuravar tribal community, a group traditionally associated with unsettled lifestyles, hunting, and gathering. Some specific groups of people within this community are proficient in fortune telling, giving a new rise to the Narikuravargal. They play a significant role in predicting natural signs and offer wise guidance an important occasion. Many Narikuravargal might have been Siddhar or spiritual healers who were well-versed in the Siddha medical system. [2]

Occupation

In ancient times, they were skilled in tracking and hunting small animals, birds, and reptiles, using simple tools like traps, slingshots and bows. Implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 in India, hunting was prohibited to secure the endanger species. Narikuravargal was engaged in traditional systems of education, spiritual practices, and community leadership. They were responsible for the youth by educating philosophy, literature, ethics, religion, and governance. This education was typically through oral traditions, where ancient would teach from religious write like the Thirukkural, Tamil Sangam literature, and some Vedic texts. They often as monks, pastor who led rituals and provide advices to individuals about religious and spiritual leadership. [3,4] Many narikuravars families make sell handmade bead necklaces, bracelets during festival. some are selling the small items such as toys, hair accessories, or household goods in roadside stalls and travelling vendors.

fig.2.

Bead craftmanship by the narikuravar community Narikuravars also act as a daily wage labour in constructing sites, and agriculture. They often taught classical music, dance, and traditional forms of literature. In contemporary society, many Narikuravargal are highly educated and hold positions in educational institutions, either as professors, researchers, or spiritual leaders. They continue to contribute to the development of philosophy, literature, and cultural studies through formal education.

 Education

In ancient times, the primary method of education in these early times was oral, where elders learned through discussions, debates, and storytelling. They followed Guru-shishya method of training. Elders teach Children about their history, customs, lifestyle, hunting methods, crafting tools and making bead jewelry. Children learn from their ancestors. In recent times the efforts taken by NGOs and governments have helped them to access schooling by providing scholarships and vocational training. In this modern era, many people from their community pursue degrees in many normed universities. They also connected to digital platforms publishing books and delivering speeches. [5]

Habitat

The Narikuravargal traveled across rural areas and villages in Tamil Nadu. They set huts and made tents using bamboo, thatched and available materials. They settle near forests, open fields, highways and villages. In recent years government has taken initiatives to provide housing schemes for settling in secure places. In Madurai the Narikuravar community first got their permanent house in 1991 under the Indira Gandhi Awas Yojana Scheme, under this scheme they constructed houses in the Sakkimangalam Panchayat.

BACKGROUND

Narikuravars migrated from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra to south India about 400 years ago. During the British colonial period, Narikuravars were categorized under the “Criminal tribes Act” of 1871 and stigmatized for a long time. They were denotified in 1952, but still, the stigma continues. The Narikuravar community was categorized under the Most Backward Classes (MBC) in Tamil Nadu in 1989. In 2016, the Central government officially recognized Narikuvars communities as Scheduled Tribes (ST). Under this categorization, they get reservation in education, employment, economic schemes and cultural recognition. In December 2022 India Parliament passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) order (Second Amendment) bill,2022. [6]

Health and Nutrition

Narikuravars due to their semi-nomadic lifestyle and socioeconomic status lack access to nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, Vegetables, dairy and proteins. Lack of sanitation, poor hygiene and limited access to clean water, no toilet facilities cause infectious diseases like diarrhea, malaria. Lack of awareness of maternal health can affect the mothers during pregnancy and childbirth. Inadequate access to healthcare services during prenatal and postnatal care causes nutritional deficiency in mothers and infants. Discrimination, poverty and social stigmatization of narikuravar community make them into stressful condition like depression and anxiety.  [7,8,9,10]

 fig.4.

The water facility of narikuravar community in sakkimangalam, madurai district

Challenges

Due to their isolation from formal education and urbanization, many narikuravars remain unaware of their rights. Still, they are stereotyped as criminals most of the companies do not provide jobs for the Narikuravar community. They sell beads, ornaments and handmade goods they earn low income and unreliable sources of livelihood. Lack of access to schools near the surroundings. The literacy rate among the narikuravars is very low, especially among women and children. Lack of awareness about hygiene, nutrition and preventive healthcare. [11]

Significance:

The study will help raise awareness about education, employment, and reservations quota, with the involvement of NGOs, for Narikuravar women. It will also emphasize the need for greater access to resources and support, contributing to the empowerment of the community and promoting gender equality.

Need of Study

This study will provide valuable insights into the root causes of the issues faced by Narikuravar women and assess the effectiveness of existing legal protections. It will help identify the socio-cultural and economic factors contributing to the victimization of women.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

The aim of the research is to explore the victimization of women among narikuravars on Madurai district.

• • To analyze the social-economic status of women among narikuravar community. 
  • To identifies the cultural factors, traditional practices, gender roles and societal stigmatization contributing to victimization of women among narikuravars.
  • To identify the obstacles faced by narikuravar women in accessing education an employment.
  • To investigate the health and nutrition issues faced by the narikuravar community
  • To propose effective remedies to improve the living standard of the narikuravar community by addressing the challenges in education, employment, nutrition and health issues.

RESEARCH METHOD

Sample of this case was taken on women from narikuravar community. Minimum of 102 samples are taken for this study in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Quantitative method research for an in-depth understanding of the victimization faced by Narikuravar women.

Data Collection Methods

Sampling technique: snowball sampling.

Interviews: Semi-structured interviews with Narikuravar women to gather personal narratives.

Target Population

Primary Participants: Women from the Narikuravar community across various age groups.

Method of Data Analysis

Structured questions will be implemented in SPSS software used for static value of the collected data.

PROCEDURE:

The samples were collected from the womens in the Narikuravar Community. The researcher obtained consent from each individual sample. Data were collected using a questionnaire method. After collecting the samples the data were analysed, coded and the SPSS software was used for data analysis and interpretation.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Social economic condition

Table 1

According to the data, all of the people who were surveyed were female, and the majority of them (51%) were in the 18–30 age range. The majority of respondents (80.4%) are married and reside in homes (85.3%), whereas a smaller proportion (14.7%) live on the side of the road. With only a small percentage obtaining higher secondary or degree levels and 96.1% lacking any formal education, educational attainment is incredibly low. All responders, however, have identity documentation, which could facilitate their access to necessary services. Furthermore, the group as a whole earns less than ?1,00,000 annually, which suggests financial difficulties. Overall, the results show that this community faces serious socioeconomic difficulties.

cultural factors and traditional practices

Table 2

According to the data, only 13.7% of respondents think traditional customs are important, while the majority (79.4%) are neutral. None are expected to adhere to rigid cultural norms, and a sizable majority (89.2%) of women participate in community decision-making. The community reports that child marriage is uncommon (86.3%), with 58.8% of marriages taking place after the age of 22.

Gender roles

Table 3

According to the data, income responsibility is distributed equally among all families surveyed. Gender-based societal limitations are highlighted by the fact that a sizable majority (96.1%) say that girls are never encouraged to pursue higher education and 73.5% think it is extremely unlikely for women to work outside the community without restrictions.

Societal stigmatization and discrimination

Table 4

According to the data, half (50%) said they had occasionally experienced discrimination from outsiders, 34.3% said they frequently experienced it, and 13.7% said they always experienced it. All respondents (100%) said they had never encountered any obstacles when it came to access to education, suggesting that educational accessibility may have improved. Women's employment prospects continue to be a significant concern, as 74.5% of respondents said they were consistently turned down because of social stigma. Furthermore, 80.4% of respondents gave their community's discrimination a high rating, underscoring the pressing need for social reforms.

Education and Employment

Table 5

According to the data, the majority of students (87.3%) have never encountered discrimination at school, while a tiny minority (11.8%) have occasionally done so. Just 1% of respondents said they had occasionally experienced discrimination. This suggests that although discrimination is not pervasive, a sizeable minority of students still experience it on occasion. With 55.9% of students citing financial difficulties as a barrier, it seems to be the most common cause of school dropouts. Additionally, none of the students received financial aid or scholarships despite attending government schools. This implies that in order to increase school retention rates, financial assistance programs are desperately needed.

Health and Nutrition Conditions

Table 6

According to the data, there are notable gaps in postnatal care and sanitation, even though all respondents have access to sanitized drinking water and local medical facilities. 61.8% of women never receive postnatal care, despite the fact that all births take place in government hospitals. Furthermore, 95.1% of households are forced to use open defecation because only 6.9% of them have a private toilet. Given that 70.6% of people report problems using public restrooms, this lack of sanitation raises safety concerns. Even though government programs encourage menstrual hygiene, only 17.6% of people have benefited from aid for building toilets, underscoring the pressing need for better sanitation facilities.

Awareness and Accessibility

Table 7

According to the data, 66.7% of the community is "Very Unaware" of government welfare programs, and 17.6% is "Unaware." This indicates a serious lack of knowledge about these programs. Only 20.6% of respondents said they were aware of free educational opportunities, despite 67.6% saying they were "Aware" of free healthcare services. Furthermore, 68.6% of respondents say they have "Never" come across information about women's rights and legal protection, despite a high awareness of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (71.6%). The pervasive "Lack of Awareness" (88.2%) is a major obstacle to obtaining government assistance.

Crosstabulation Educational Qualification and Experiences of Discrimination

Table 8                                                                     

According to the Cross-tabulation data, the majority of uneducated people stopped going to school because they were uninterested in learning (22) and because they were subjected to discrimination or social stigma (20), with many (77) dropping out between the ages of 12 and 15. Although some (11) of the uneducated group reported occasionally experiencing discrimination, a sizable portion (86) said they had never encountered it. Few people achieve higher secondary (2) or degree level (1), indicating early dropout trends in the community.

Cross tabulation Educational Qualification and Access to Education           

Table 9

According to the cross-tabulation data, all 102 respondents attended government schools and did not receive financial aid or scholarships. Furthermore, none of them said that their community had ever made it difficult for them to get an education. Even so, the vast majority (98) do not have an education, pointing to structural obstacles that go beyond simple institutional or financial access.

Cross Tabulation of Age Group and Employment-Related Factors                                               

Table 10

According to the cross-tabulation data, traditional occupations (78) are the main source of income, particularly for people in the 18–30 age range (38) and 30-35 age range (27). Working outside the community is severely restricted for women; 75 respondents said it is "very unlikely." Furthermore, social stigma often prevents 76 women from obtaining employment, especially among those aged 18 to 30 (44). All age groups share equal income responsibility in spite of these obstacles.

Cross Tabulation of Age and Health Care

Table 11

According to the cross-tabulation data, 91 respondents—particularly those between the ages of 18 and 30—frequently depend on government welfare programs for their food needs (48). There is a significant reliance on public healthcare, as evidenced by the fact that government hospitals provide nearly all prenatal and delivery care (102 cases). However, 63 respondents—mostly from the 18–30 (33) and 30-35 (20) age groups—never received postnatal care, highlighting gaps in maternal health support. The results show that even with sufficient prenatal and delivery support, access to postnatal care needs to be improved.

Cross Tabulation of Living Condition and Toilet Facility Data

Table 12

According to the cross-tabulation data, 97 people must rely on open defecation because 95 households lack toilets. With 72 respondents experiencing problems using public restrooms, particularly those residing in homes (63 cases), safety is a major concern. A significant gap in sanitation infrastructure was highlighted by the fact that only 18 people received government assistance for the construction of toilets, even though 102 people had access to menstrual hygiene facilities. The results highlight how urgently vulnerable communities need better restrooms and government assistance.

Logistic regression

Classification Table                        

Variables in the Equation

Regression Table: Toilet Facility in Home

Table 13

According to the logistic regression the dependent variable "toilet facility in home" is significantly influenced by the predictor "where usually go," according to the regression analysis. With a p-value of 0.000 and an F-value of 232.843, the model is statistically significant, suggesting that the predictor accounts for a sizable amount of the variation in the availability of restroom facilities. The unstandardized coefficient for "where usually go" is -0.490, which indicates that the availability of a toilet facility in the home decreases by 0.490 units for every unit increase in this predictor.  The findings imply that the absence of a toilet facility at home is associated with the places where people typically go (presumably referring to open defecation). Because of the inverse relationship between these two factors, places where people lack access to restrooms.

Chart 1

The chart data shows that a majority (71.6%) are strongly aware of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, while 17.6% are aware to some extent. However, 10.8% remain unaware or uncertain, indicating gaps in legal awareness. Strengthening community education and outreach efforts can help ensure universal awareness and enforcement of the law.

Aware of government welfare schemes

Table 15

Chart 2

According to the chart data, 84.3% of respondents lack adequate awareness of government welfare programs, with the majority (66.7%) being very unaware and 17.6% being unaware. Nearly none of the respondents (1%) reported higher awareness, and only a small percentage (14.7%) are neutral. In order to guarantee that communities can access and profit from government assistance programs, this reveals a serious awareness gap and highlights the necessity of improved outreach, education, and communication initiatives.

Aware of government welfare schemes

Table 15

Chart 3

According to the chart data, 23.5% of respondents are neither aware nor unaware of free educational opportunities, while 55.9% of respondents are unaware of them, suggesting a lack of precise knowledge. There is a notable awareness gap, as only 20.6% are aware. To guarantee that more people can take advantage of free educational opportunities, this points to the necessity of more robust outreach initiatives, community involvement, and educational campaigns.

Challenges in accessing government support

Table 17

Chart 4

According to the chart data reveals that 88.2% of respondents face challenges in accessing government support due to a lack of awareness, while only 11.8% cite other reasons. This indicates that awareness is the primary barrier preventing people from benefiting from government programs. Improving information dissemination, conducting awareness campaigns, and enhancing accessibility can help bridge this gap and ensure better utilization of government support services.

Access to financial support                                      

Table 18

Chart 5