Practice of Veli in Andhra Pradesh: Impact on Vaddi

In a fishing village of Andhra Pradesh, the practice of social boycott among the Vaddi community has adverse social and economic consequences.

Veli is the practice of social boycott.

Those subjected to social ostracisation are not allowed to speak to other villagers and in some cases, compelled to abandon their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
Many times, the veli is motivated by politics, caste, or economics.
An informal grama peddalu (village elders), also called a kula (caste) panchayat, of six or seven members nominated for a year by the community (they are never re-installed), takes a call on veli.

The age-old practice of veli has been followed to maintain social order within the community.

The grama peddalu may also enforce tappu (wrong), a monetary penalty against ‘wrongdoers’.
In a parallel government, they may impose both or just one, depending on how severe they feel the ‘wrongdoing’ is.
The pedda (elder) Vaddi heads this informal panchayat that decides on several matters that the community considers important socially and economically, including marriage and extra-marital affairs.

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