Tsunami anniversary: T.N. fishermen reiterate demand for Scheduled Tribe status

Published - December 27, 2025 10:59 am IST - CHENNAI Fishers pour milk as part of rituals to pay tribute to the victims of the 2004 tsunami on the 21st anniversary of the tragedy, at Pattinapakkam beach, in Chennai, on Friday | Photo Credit: - On the anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, on Friday (December 26, 2025), fishermen reiterated their demand to be categorised as Scheduled Tribes (ST) so that they can get greater representation in education. Community leader Durai Mahendran said that without reservation, the community has remained socially and educationally backward, with no IAS officers or judges from among its members. “We are fighting for space among the MBCs [Most Backward Classes].