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Impact of Classifying Denotified, Nomadic, Semi-Nomadic Tribes

Syllabus:

GS-2:

Issues Related to SCs & STs , Government Policies & Interventions

Focus:

The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) have completed a three-year study, categorizing 268 tribes and recommending 179 for inclusion in SC, ST, and OBC lists. This move has sparked debates on reservations and political implications.

Overview of Classification Study:

• Comprehensive Categorization: The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) have for the first time comprehensively categorized 268 denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes.
• Study Duration: The study was conducted over three years, concluding in 2023.
• Communities Included: Out of the 268 tribes, 179 are being recommended for inclusion in the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC)
• First-Time Classifications: At least 85 communities are being classified for the first time.
• Communities Not Traceable: 63 communities were found to be untraceable due to assimilation, migration, or renaming.

About Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs):

• Denotified Tribes (DNTs):
• Communities labeled as “born criminals” under the British Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
• These laws were repealed in 1952 by the Indian government, thus they were “de-notified.”
• Many were also nomadic in nature and lacked access to private land or home ownership.
• Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes:
• Tribes that move from place to place instead of settling permanently in one location.
• Historically, these communities did not own land or homes.
• Classification and Coverage:
• Many DNTs are part of SC, ST, or OBC categories, but some are not covered under any of these.
• South Asia has the largest nomadic population, with approximately 10% of India’s population being DNTs.
• Key Committees and Reports:
• Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee (1947) and Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Committee (1949) recognized the challenges faced by these communities.
• Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953) and B P Mandal Commission (1980) also highlighted their issues.
• NCRWC (2002) acknowledged the wrongful stigmatization of DNTs.

Developmental Efforts for DNTs

• Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme (Pre/Post-Matric):
• Aimed at DNT students not covered under SC, ST, or OBC, to promote education, especially for girls.
• Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme (Hostel Construction):
• Provides hostel facilities for DNT students (boys and girls) to pursue higher education.
• Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs:
• Includes free competitive exam coaching, health insurance, housing assistance, and livelihood initiatives.
• An expenditure of Rs. 200 crores allocated for 2021-2026.
• DWBDNC (Development and Welfare Board for DNTs):
• Established in 2019 to implement welfare programs for DNTs under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Historical Background and Need for Categorization:

• Repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act (1949): The Criminal Tribes Act of 1924 was repealed in 1949, removing the criminal label from several tribes, but they remained unclassified.
• Previous Efforts at Classification: Prior commissions, including the Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1955) and the Idate Commission (2017), attempted to classify these communities but faced challenges.
• Government Committees: The Prime Minister’s Office formed a Special Committee in 2019, which recommended the classification work be completed by AnSI and TRIs.
• Role of Parliamentary Standing Committee: The Parliamentary Committee expressed concern about the delay in classification, warning that it would hinder communities from accessing welfare benefits meant for SCs, STs, and OBCs.

Importance of Accurate Categorization

• Misclassification Issues: Early colonial censuses misclassified tribes as castes or vice versa, leading to confusion. Post-Independence, these errors continued due to political motivations, further complicating the categorization process.
• Impact on Community Welfare: Incorrect or absent categorization has hindered these communities from benefiting from social welfare schemes, including reservations.
• Anthropological Perspective: Experts argue that applying an anthropological lens to classification can help create accurate groupings that can better address the social and economic needs of these communities.

Political and Social Implications

• Debate Over SC, ST, OBC Status: The classification of these communities raises questions about how they should be categorized under the SC, ST, or OBC Some activists and community leaders argue for a separate classification, while others push for their inclusion under existing categories to benefit from reservations.
• Impact on Reservations: One of the most significant impacts of the classification is on the reservation system, where these communities are seeking to ensure they receive entitlements based on their classification.
• Community Activism: Activists in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana are lobbying for these communities to be granted full benefits under SC, ST, or OBC

Future Steps and Government Action:

• Review by the Special Committee: The ethnographic study has been submitted to the Special Committee headed by the Vice-Chairperson of the NITI Aayog for further scrutiny.
• Final Report and Government Decision: Once the committee completes its review, a final report will be presented, and the government will decide on the implementation of the classification recommendations.
• State-Level Inclusion: The study’s recommendations will help states initiate the process of including these communities in the SC, ST, or OBC lists, allowing them access to relevant government benefits and policies.

Conclusion:

The classification of denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes has long been a complex issue, compounded by historical misclassifications and the slow pace of government action. The recent study by AnSI and TRIs brings much-needed clarity and hope for these communities, ensuring that they can finally access social welfare benefits and reservations. However, the political implications of this classification will continue to be debated, and further decisions will shape the future of these communities within India’s social and political framework.

Source: TH

Mains Practice Question:

Discuss the challenges and political implications of classifying denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes in India. How will this impact their social and economic rights, including access to reservations?