Madrasi


Madrasi is an outdated exonym for the people of South India which is now looked on as an ethnic slur. Ethnophaulistic usage varies from being a derogatory hypernymy to a pejorative slur.

Origin and former usage

The term originated as a demonym for South Indians in the colonial period when the Madras Presidency of British India administered nearly all of southern India.

Modern usage

Modern use is generally frowned upon and variously seen as either "dismissive of," or derisive towards peoples of South India; and is seen is a slur than an acceptable exonym.
Its use as a hypernymy to refer to all South Indians is viewed as disrespectful in light of the ethnic diversity of Southern India. Madrasi has also outright been used as a slur.

Controversy

Allegations of disparagement and racism were raised against Infosys CEO Salil Parekh, for, amongst other things, referring to some of his South Indian employees as 'Madrasis'.