Kerala: Keraleeyam Festival Sparks Controversy, Minister Says 'Showcase' Of Tribals Sends Wrong Message

After the Minister's statement, Department of Culture and Folklore Academy said no adivasis were exhibited there as showpieces.

The academy assured that if there were any mistakes, they would be rectified.

Source : Twitter/@surendranbjp

The appearance of indigenous people at the Keraleeyam festival has ignited a debate with K Radhakrishnan, Kerala Minister for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare, expressing concern that putting the tribals in a "showcase" conveys a wrong message. The Keraleeyam festival's controversial exhibition showcased various tribal groups in their traditional attire, demonstrating their unique arts, crafts and dance forms.

Addressing the reporters in Thrissur, Radhakrishnan said, it was his personal view to not put the tribals in a "showcase". He said that a direction was also given to this effect. 

"We should not see them (tribals) as something to be displayed in a showcase. It gives out a wrong message. What happened here has to be enquired into and appropriate action needs to be taken," he said, as per PTI.

Further, the Minister said that he discussed the matter with Department of Culture and Folklore Academy which was responsile with organising the tribal exhibition 'Adimam'.

Following this, Folklore Academy said no adivasis were exhibited there as showpieces.

"We only displayed their various arts and how they used to live in the past," it said, as per the report.

The academy assured that if there were any mistakes, they would be rectified.

However, Kerala BJP also condemned the event. Kerala BJP president Surendran said, "Using Kerala's tribal communities as exhibition objects in the Keralayeem program is a clear example of the LDF government's caste consciousness."

"This act is reminiscent of the dark days of human zoos in the West. Our tribal brothers and sisters deserve respect, not exploitation. CM @pinarayivijayan must take moral responsibility and apologize to the entire tribal community in Kerala," he said. 

Using Kerala's tribal communities as exhibition objects in the Keralayeem program is a clear example of the LDF government's caste consciousness. This act is reminiscent of the dark days of human zoos in the West. Our tribal brothers and sisters deserve respect, not exploitation.… pic.twitter.com/SDQAJc3iwV

— K Surendran (@surendranbjp) November 7, 2023