Here's why it's considered problematic:
* Offensive Origin: The term has its roots in a colonial era, used to refer to Malayalis (people of Kerala) as "Malu" which means "dirty" or "unclean" in some Indian languages.
* Stereotyping: It perpetuates negative stereotypes about Malayalis, often associating them with certain physical characteristics, accents, and behaviors.
* Dehumanizing: Using "Mallu" as a label reduces individuals to a single stereotype, ignoring their individuality and unique identities.
It's important to avoid using this term and instead use respectful language like "Malayali" or "Keralite" to refer to people from Kerala.