This Kerala Couple Have Been Living In A Forest For 20 Years After Being Ostracised For Getting Married By Their Community
I love how liberal and non-conforming millennals are. We are in the phase where so many age old concepts are being challenged and if a generation is open to change, it’s us. However, the way we date is so crappy that I feel most of us are just like out there being single. The older generation told us incessantly that there are many fish in the sea. But why is it that we only find trash? How often do you meet a guy who would just cancel his plans for you, when you really need him? In fact, I have learnt to not need anyone. But there are still older millennials or boomers who loved wholeheartedly! They’d go the extra mile for the love of their lives, marry and make babies and be content with love. I want that kind of energy. For instance, this couple in Kerala have been living in the forest for 20 years because they were ostracized for getting married.
Chellappan and Yashoda live in a forest in seclusion and have raised two sons together, The News Minute reported. They belonged to the native Muthuvan tribal community before they got ostracised for getting married. The couple and their two children and disconnected from other tribal hamlets, don’t have proper documentation or property. This makes them ineligible to even get ration kits from the government.
However, representatives of Kerala Adivasi Aikyavedi visited them in April and brought their story to light. With the threat of animal attacks and no connectivity, Chellappan and Yashoda struggle to feel safe and secure. Not to forget, to even get groceries the couple travels eight hours by a canoe to a nearby tribal settlement.
Prakash PK, General Secretary of the Kerala Adivasi Aikyavedi was quoted by The News Minute, “Walking through dense forest, steep slopes and travelling for hours in a raft, it was a dangerous journey. We cannot even imagine they come all this way all the time to go to the shops or even to the hospital.” He added, “As per the custom of the Muthuvan tribe, once they are ostracised no other tribal hamlet would also admit the couple. That is why they have been living all alone.”
The couple earns a living by fishing and through forest produce. Their sons were in class 7 and class 4 and were studying in a hostel for students of schedule caste and tribes. However, due to covid-19, they are back home and with no connectivity cannot attend virtual classes.
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Meanwhile, the Kerala Adivasi Aikyavedi is trying to help them with the grant of some land and home. They are also raising money to support them and help them with essentials. It’s sad that the couple have been going through such harsh conditions just because they fell in love. I mean, murderers are out there living a good life! And it’s still so admirable that they made sure their children get to attend school!
