De-notified tribes in India

About
Denotified Tribes (DNTs) in India are communities that were labeled as "criminal tribes" under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, during British rule. After independence, the Act was repealed in 1952, and these tribes were "denotified." However, they still face significant social and economic marginalization.
Key Facts About Denotified Tribes (DNTs):
1. History:
  •  Under British rule, many nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes were classified as "criminal" based on colonial prejudices.
  • After the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act in 1952, they were freed from this status, but discrimination continues.
2. Current Challenges:
  • Lack of proper documentation and identity papers.
  • Limited access to education, healthcare, and employment.
  • Social stigma persists, with some being monitored under the Habitual Offenders Act.
3. Government Initiatives:
  • The Renke Commission (2008) studied the socio-economic conditions of DNTs.
  •  The Idate Commission (2014) recommended welfare measures.
  • The SEED Scheme (2022) was introduced to support DNTs through education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
4. Major Denotified Tribes:
Some of the well-known DNT communities include:
  • Sansis (Punjab, Haryana)
  • Pardhis (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra)
  • Lambadis/Banjara (Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana)
  • Narikuravars (Tamil Nadu)
  • Chharas (Gujarat)
DNTs are often clubbed under Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), or Other Backward Classes (OBCs), but many remain outside these categories,, making policy implementation difficult.
Implications
Implications
The historical criminalization and subsequent denotification of certain tribes in India have had deep social, economic, and political implications, affecting their development and rights even today.
1. Social Implications:
  • Stigma & Discrimination: Despite being denotified in 1952, many DNTs still face discrimination and social exclusion, often being treated as habitual criminals.
  • Identity Crisis: Many DNTs do not fit into Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, leading to difficulties in accessing benefits.
  • Lack of Political Representation: Due to their marginalized status, they have limited political influence and representation in governance.
2. Economic Implications:
  • Poverty & Unemployment: Many DNTs rely on traditional occupations like nomadic trade, folk arts, or labor, but lack stable income sources.
  • Lack of Education & Skills: Low literacy rates and limited access to skill development programs keep them trapped in poverty.
  •  Landlessness & Homelessness: Many DNTs are nomadic or semi-nomadic, lacking land rights or permanent settlements, making them vulnerable to eviction.
3. Legal & Human Rights Implications:
  •  Surveillance & Police Harassment: The Habitual Offenders Act, 1952, continues to target some DNTs, keeping them under suspicion by law enforcement.
  •  Citizenship & Documentation Issues: Many struggle to obtain Aadhaar cards, ration cards, or caste certificates, affecting their access to welfare schemes.
  • Lack of Justice: DNTs face difficulties in accessing legal aid due to lack of awareness, resources, and systemic bias.
4. Policy & Governance Implications:
  • Challenges in Inclusion: Since DNTs are spread across various caste categories (SC, ST, OBC, or unclassified), implementing welfare policies for them is complex.
  • Need for Special Policies: The government has introduced schemes like SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs), but more targeted efforts are required for their upliftment.
  •  Reservation Issues: Many DNTs do not get the benefits of affirmative action due to classification issues.
Way Forward:
  • Dedicated Legal Protections: Repealing outdated laws like the Habitual Offenders Act.
  •  Better Social Inclusion: Awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and discrimination.
  • Economic & Educational Support: Scholarships, vocational training, and financial assistance to promote self-reliance.
  •  Land & Housing Rights: Providing legal recognition of land and housing ownership for nomadic communities.
Policies & Welfare Schemes for Denotified Tribes (DNTs) in India
1. Major Government Initiatives
  • SEED Scheme (2022) - Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs
 Provides free coaching for competitive exams.
 Offers livelihood support for entrepreneurship.
 Provides housing assistance under PM Awas Yojana.
 Covers health insurance under Ayushman Bharat.
 Implemented by: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
  • Idate Commission (2014)
 Headed by Bhiku Ramji Idate, the commission studied the socio-economic status of DNTs.
 Recommended separate reservation quotas and a dedicated welfare board.
 Suggested special legal protections to prevent police harassment.
  • Renke Commission (2008)
 Report found over 74% of DNTs were landless, and 90% had no access to healthcare & education.
 Recommended financial aid, scholarships, and reservations in government jobs and education.
 Proposed legal reforms to abolish laws discriminating against DNTs.
  • National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT)
 Established to study and address DNT issues.
Works on categorization within SC/ST/OBC to ensure proper representation.

2. State-Level Initiatives
  •  Maharashtra: Special financial assistance & hostels for NT students.
  •  Tamil Nadu: Scholarships for Narikuravars & other DNT students.
  • Madhya Pradesh: Free housing & skill training for Pardhi community.
  •  Gujarat: Rehabilitation programs for Chharas (formerly labeled criminals).
3. Major Denotified Tribes (DNTs) & Their Challenges

Tribe ,State(s) ,Traditional Occupation, Current Challenges
Sansis = Punjab, Haryana ,Nomadic trading, agriculture Police harassment, lack of land rights
Pardhis = MP, Maharashtra Hunting, gathering Extreme poverty, social stigma
Lambadis (Banjaras)= Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana Trading, cattle rearing Struggles with land rights & reservations
Narikuravars = Tamil Nadu Beadwork, street vending No ST status, lack of education
Chharas = Gujarat Street performers, manual labor Still viewed as a "criminal" tribe

4. Key Issues with Implementation
  •  Lack of Awareness: Many DNTs are unaware of government schemes.
  • Bureaucratic Hurdles: Difficulties in getting caste certificates & documentation.
  • No Separate Reservation: Most DNTs fall into SC/ST/OBC, leading to competition with other groups.
  • Continued Discrimination: Social bias and police surveillance still affect many DNTs.
5. Way Forward
  • Separate Reservation Category for DNTs.
  • Simplified Access to Welfare Schemes (less paperwork, local outreach).
  •  Legal Reforms to Abolish Habitual Offenders Act.
  • Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Programs for Self-Reliance.




-- Daily News Section Compiled

    By Vishwas Nimbalkar


Posted by on 29th Jan 2025