The Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha and Adishakti Summer School have accused the Kerala government of attempting to legitimise a false narrative through its planned declaration of the state as “extreme poverty-free,” arguing that such a claim conceals the widespread impoverishment, joblessness, and malnutrition prevalent among marginalised communities.
They contended that the official event, scheduled for November 1 on Kerala Formation Day, is being used to project a politically motivated image of progress while thousands continue to earn less than ₹157 a day—the United Nations’ daily wage benchmark—and survive on free ration supplies.
The organisations alleged that the state’s attempt to portray itself as free from extreme poverty disregards the grim realities faced by Adivasis, Dalits, and fisherfolk who continue to live in severe deprivation despite decades of welfare measures.
They criticised the government’s invitation to film stars Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Kamal Haasan, saying their participation would help legitimise what they described as a misleading, election-driven claim. They argued that the celebration of Kerala’s “historic achievement” hides the continuing crises of landlessness, unemployment, hunger, and deteriorating health conditions among marginalised populations.
Citing studies and official data, the statement pointed out that 64,000 families are listed as extremely poor, of which 5% are Adivasis, 20% Dalits, and 75% from other groups, describing these figures as deceptive and unrepresentative of the ground reality.
The organisations highlighted that in Wayanad, where several tribal communities, including the Paniya, Adiya, Kattunayakan, and Vettakurum, reside, over half the children are undernourished, and women and children face alarmingly high rates of anaemia.
They referred to studies showing that 59% of tribal children were underweight, 52.3% had stunted growth, and 54.8% of those under five suffered from malnutrition, illustrating a persistent cycle of nutritional deprivation and poverty.
They observed that mechanisation in paddy cultivation and the influx of migrant workers have displaced local labourers, especially women, aggravating unemployment and nutritional deficiencies.
Many educated youth remain jobless, while those who dropped out of school lack employable skills, forcing thousands to depend on meagre earnings and government rations. The statement added that the situation in Attappady remains equally distressing, with high levels of anaemia and malnutrition among women and children, and nearly one-third of the population is landless.
The organisations urged the government to abandon what they termed a politically motivated declaration and instead conduct a comprehensive survey of marginalised communities, focusing on sustainable welfare measures to address persistent poverty and social backwardness in the state.