Classifying Denotified and Nomadic Tribes for Inclusive Growth
Context
Recently, for the first time, the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) categorised 268 denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes that had never been classified before.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Growth and development)
Highlights:
- The Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) also recommended the inclusion of 179 such communities in the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) lists.
- Meanwhile, 85 more communities were classified for the first time, while 63 were found untraceable.
- The objective of the research was to provide support to these communities under various welfare schemes.
Dimensions of the Article
- What is the issue?
- Challenges in Classification
- Significance of the Study
What is the issue?
- Denotified, semi-nomadic, and nomadic tribes have historically been marginalised.
- Many were labelled as “criminals” under British rule through the Criminal Tribes Act of 1924. Though this Act was repealed in 1949, these communities struggled with stigma and lacked official recognition.
- Over the decades, various commissions—Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1955), Mandal Commission (1980), Renke Commission (2008), and Idate Commission (2017)—attempted to classify them but fell short.
- The latest AnSI-TRI study aims to rectify this by properly categorising these tribes to ensure they receive rightful government benefits.
Challenges in Classification
- Historical Misclassification: Many tribes were wrongly labelled as castes in early colonial censuses, creating inconsistencies in official records.
- Political Sensitivities: The classification process has often been delayed due to political concerns, as reservation benefits impact electoral calculations.
- Lack of Data: Previous studies failed to document many of these communities, making accurate classification difficult.
- Opposition from Communities: Some groups question the logic of placing these tribes under SC, ST, or OBC categories and demand a separate classification.
Significance of the Study
- Better Access to Welfare Schemes: Correct classification will help these communities receive education, healthcare, and employment benefits under SC/ST/OBC schemes.
- Political and Social Inclusion: Recognition can reduce discrimination and integrate these groups into mainstream society.
- Foundation for Further Research: The study lays the groundwork for future anthropological and policy research on marginalised communities.
Way Forward
- Government Action on Recommendations: The NITI Aayog’s Special Committee must expedite scrutiny of the report and finalise decisions on classification.
- State-Level Implementation: States should actively participate in verifying and incorporating these communities into reservation lists.
- Awareness and Legal Clarity: Clear communication is needed to address concerns about classification and prevent further exclusion.
- Separate Schedule for Denotified Tribes: Some experts suggest a dedicated constitutional schedule for denotified tribes to ensure targeted benefits without affecting SC/ST/OBC quotas.
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