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The '''Ezhavas,''' (<span>Malayalam:</span> <span lang="ml-Latn-fonipa">[[Help:IPA/Malayalam|[iːɻɐʋɐ]]]</span>) also known as ''Thiyya'' or ''Tiyyar'' (<span>Malayalam:</span> <span lang="ml-Latn-fonipa">[[Help:IPA/Malayalam|[t̪ijːɐ]]]</span>) in the [[Malabar region]], and Chegavar/Chovar (<span>Malayalam:</span> <span lang="ml-Latn-fonipa">[[Help:IPA/Malayalam|[tʃeɡɐʋɐr,<span> </span>tʃoːʋɐr]]]</span>) in the south, are a community with origins in the region of India presently known as [[Kerala]], where in the 2010s they constituted about 23% of the population and were reported to be the largest [[Hindu]] community. ::Ezhava dynasties such as the [[Mannanar]] existed in Kerala. ::The Ezhavas are classified as an Other Backward Class by the Government of India under its system of positive discrimination.
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The '''Ezhavas,''' (<span>Malayalam:</span> <span lang="ml-Latn-fonipa">[[Help:IPA/Malayalam|[iːɻɐʋɐ]]]</span>) also known as ''Thiyya'' or ''Tiyyar'' (<span>Malayalam:</span> <span lang="ml-Latn-fonipa">[[Help:IPA/Malayalam|[t̪ijːɐ]]]</span>) in the [[Malabar region]], and Chegavar/Chovar (<span>Malayalam:</span> <span lang="ml-Latn-fonipa">[[Help:IPA/Malayalam|[tʃeɡɐʋɐr,<span> </span>tʃoːʋɐr]]]</span>) in the south, are a community with origins in the region of India presently known as [[Kerala]], where in the 2010s they constituted about 23% of the population and were reported to be the largest [[Hindu]] community. ::Ezhava dynasties such as the [[Mannanar]] existed in Kerala.TheBritishalsoformedaseparateregimentintheBritishIndianArmycalledthe[[ThiyyarRegiment]]inMalabar,whichwasoneoftheoldestarmyregimentsinIndia.TheBritishdeployedthisunitinvariousmilitaryoperations.::The Ezhavas are classified as an Other Backward Class by the Government of India under its system of positive discrimination.
^Mandelbaum, David Goodman (1970).Society in India: Continuity and change. University of California Press. p. 502.ISBN9780520016231.Another strong caste association, but one formed at a different social level and cemented by religious appeal, is that of the Iravas of Kerala, who are also known as Ezhavas or Tiyyas and make up more than 40 per cent of Kerala Hindus
^Gough, E. Kathleen (1961)."Tiyyar: North Kerala". In Schneider, David Murray; Gough, E. Kathleen (eds.).Matrilineal Kinship. University of California Press. p. 405.ISBN978-0-520-02529-5.Throughout Kerala the Tiyyars (called Iravas in parts of Cochin and Travancore) ...{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
^Mandelbaum, David Goodman (1970).Society in India: Continuity and change. University of California Press. p. 502.ISBN9780520016231.Another strong caste association, but one formed at a different social level and cemented by religious appeal, is that of the Iravas of Kerala, who are also known as Ezhavas or Tiyyas and make up more than 40 per cent of Kerala Hindus
^Gough, E. Kathleen (1961)."Tiyyar: North Kerala". In Schneider, David Murray; Gough, E. Kathleen (eds.).Matrilineal Kinship. University of California Press. p. 405.ISBN978-0-520-02529-5.Throughout Kerala the Tiyyars (called Iravas in parts of Cochin and Travancore) ...{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
"Hello editors,I would like to propose an update to the 'Origins' section of this article. Currently, the article focuses heavily on the Sri Lankan (Eezham) migration theory. However, there are significant historical arguments and references suggesting that the Ezhavas originated from the indigenous 'Villavar' or 'Illavar' clans, connected to the Chera dynasty, rather than migrating from Sri Lanka.To ensure a neutral point of view, I request that this indigenous origin theory be added alongside the existing theories. I am ready to provide relevant citations and historical references to support this. Please consider this request."KEditor88 (talk)03:04, 7 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Historical Connection to Chera Dynasty and 'Villavar Kon'
I propose adding a section regarding the indigenous 'Villavar' origin theory of the Ezhava/Thiyya community, supported by historians.Villavar Connection: Historians (e.g., Dr. M.S. Jayaprakash) argue that the community originated from the "Villavar" (Archers) clan, which was a prominent warrior class in ancient Kerala. The term 'Ezhava' is believed to be a linguistic derivation from Villavar -> Illavar -> Ezhava.Chera Dynasty Link: The ancient Chera kings held the title "Villavar Kon" (King of Villavars/Archers). This strongly suggests that the roots of the community are linked to the ruling class of the Chera dynasty, rather than a migration from Sri Lanka.Indigeneity: The identity of Ezhavas/Thiyyas as the descendants of these original inhabitants and rulers (Villavars) should be highlighted to provide a balanced historical perspective alongside the migration theory.I request editors to review the works of historians like Dr. M.S. Jayaprakash and include this indigenous Chera-Villavar lineage in the article.KEditor88 (talk)03:29, 7 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
The Ezhavas are classified as anOther Backward Class by the Government of India underits system of positive discrimination.[1]Despite constituting around 24% ofKerala’s population, the community has been described as under represented in both theLDF and theUDF. In theLDF ministry, Ezhavas have held 5 ministerial positions, while the Nair community, which comprises about 12% of the state’s population, has held 7 ministerial posts.Within theUDF, representation concerns have also been raised. There is noOBC representation in the top leadership of theCongress inKerala at present. Of the 14 DistrictCongress Committees (DCCs) inKerala, only 4 have presidents from the Ezhava community. Among the state’s 14CongressMPs, only 2 belong to the community, while only 1 of the party’s 22 MLAs represents the Ezhavas. Additionally, none of the three newly appointed working presidents of theKPCC are from the community.[2][3][4]
This is an important thing and is convered by multiple lead news papers in India. The article should not be a dead one only talking of fr historical perspective, but should be updayed.
As being a backward caste with almost 1/4th of the Kerala population, it is under represented in politics. In Congress almost it's representation is null and the articles convered the same. I think a small mention of it should be in the lead, as and maybe a separate sub section in the bodyدثلميح (talk)18:29, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
The version you made is after @Miamiller777 changed. You can see edite after oct 21 2025 where he added 'choga and placed the lead sentence to the variation section. Please see history after oct 21 2025 where he changed the lead without talk consensus.دثلميح (talk)19:09, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
where did i added choga ?? I moved the disputes to a variation section as it it was heavily povish and was violating the WP: Lede , I had discussed it with the editor and the editor approved me to do so . Many editors had verified it. The chooga was not added by me FYIMiamiller777 (talk)19:13, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
No you changed the lead without talk consensus which was there for years as results of talk consensus.
Thank you for pinging me. However, I just performed an edit request and know very little about this article, so I don't know if my version is the "stable version". I am simply not knowledgeable enough to have any opinion about this.Lova Falk (talk)19:22, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
You need consensus before changing the lead as you wish. Which you have not done. The lead is the results of long talk discussion consensus and you can blatantly change it. Also the word 'chogar' in the lead you added is unsourced and caste pov pushدثلميح (talk)19:18, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
[[3]] Please check to the talk section were the move is clearly discussed and lova approved it. After that many modofocations are made at this page. That is defenitely not a stable formMiamiller777 (talk)19:20, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
I had notified any changes to the editor the cureent version is not by me by by tony st you are welcome to change anything by providing proper sources .Miamiller777 (talk)19:07, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
The thing u said is added by alesbi something on 29 September, It have nothing to do with me . I have already provided source for the discussions and many edits were made after that . You are welcome to edit with sources , I have never reverted any of your edits ever . I only discussed it ,If i was so rushy then i would have altered it by myself.Miamiller777 (talk)19:28, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
What dispute I even made with you ?Did i ever reverted any of your edits? I just notified a violation of policy with the admin which i found and how it is supposed to be a dispute beetween you and me?? I dont wish to indulge in any dipsutes with you nor I have any reason to make any page in any way. My only reason to notify it to the admin was I found to be against the guidelines of the lede policy as it was looking Povish in terms of disputes. I just notified it to the admin , I didnt came with any edit war or anything with you , also the thing u said is not added by me it was present since september 29 Something. The cureent version is to tonyst and not by me , Thankyou . You are welcome to move it to any way by adhering to the guidelines and I have never indulged in any edit war or revert war with anyone through my edit journey not with you or with anyone. Thankyou , best wishes .Miamiller777 (talk)19:38, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Let us be clear We are not discussing what the stable version is here, the article will remain inthis version until consensus is reached, as I have explained on my talk page. We should be discussingwhat changes we would like to see to theexisting version. I will be making no further comment.Black Kite (talk)19:22, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
1. @Miamiller777 moved[4] on oct 22 2025 without talk consensue from lead to 'variation' section:
Thiyya[1] group has claimed a higher rank in theHindu caste system than the other Ezhava groups but was considered to be of a similar rank bycolonial and subsequent administrations.[2][3] Recent research by theKIRTADS indicates that the Ezhavas of southern Kerala and the Thiyyar ofMalabar are distinct groups with separate cultural and anthropological identities.[4]
Which was there in the lead for years. As the article has the section of dispute between thiyya/ezhava, this was placed in the lead to balance the article for nuetrality after along talk discussions and consensus from the article talk including @Sitush. Additon of kirtads is from talk. This should have to be back to the lead (as till oct 21 till @Miamiller777 make this changes) for the balance and neutrality of the article.
2. The word
Chegavar
in
The Ezhavas, (Malayalam: [iːɻɐʋɐ]) also known as Thiyya or Tiyyar (Malayalam: [t̪ijːɐ]) in the Malabar region, and Chegavar/Chovar (Malayalam: [tʃeɡɐʋɐr, tʃoːʋɐr]) in the south
is unsourced and need to be removed as it unsourced and pov.
It should be :
The Ezhavas, (Malayalam: [iːɻɐʋɐ]) also known as Thiyya or Tiyyar (Malayalam: [t̪ijːɐ]) in the Malabar region, and Chovar (Malayalam: [tʃeɡɐʋɐr, tʃoːʋɐr]) in the south
The dipsute it 2 sideed and the pulappilly says "They sometimes claims a distinct identity " which is already present in the variation section . Also I can see that tiyya,ishuva and many more is redirected to the same page so what is the need of bringing this in the lede as it is a disputes claim ?Miamiller777 (talk)19:42, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
True! However, let me repeat, I am not knowledgeable about this. Your edit seemed good, I gave you a thumbs up, but I don't know much about this subject, and I don't know if I was right or wrong to give you that thumbs up.Lova Falk (talk)07:03, 15 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
cheevakaavar is not added by me it was already present . You are simply haunting me , Dont simply keep grudges. I have nothing against you . The source says distinct identity. Any form is disputes is already being discussed .Miamiller777 (talk)19:56, 14 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]
Don't bring victim card here and playing innocent here using 'innocent' english. Admin is 20 years in wikipedia and has seen all types of games.
I have not 'attacked' you anywhere. In fact you are the one who approached 4 editors simulatnously[5][6][7] regarding my sourced edit on 'under representation of ezhavas politically'. If you are really here to contribute you would have reverted my edit and asked me to discuss in the article talk. I was not pushing any unsourced edits, or was engaging in edit war for you to approach talk pages of 4 admins - to make them revert so that you stand in middle enjoying the show.
But even though you have edit rights (>500 edits) to edit onezhava, you have approached multiple admins talk page , just to make them to revert it. A normal user would revert it and ask to discuss in the article talk, if you are a responsible editor here.
Miamiller777: User:دثلميح has been blocked as a sock. Likely connected to long-term socks MappilaKhrais and Adhithya Kiran Chekavar, well-known Thiyyar caste promoter. Don't mind the accusations. It is their behaviour to become hostile to anyone who challenge their caste promoting edits.--Teegarden's Star b (talk)08:31, 22 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]