The Central Government is contemplating bestowing Tribal status on the Hatti Community residing in the Tans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district.
An Overview of the Hatti Community
Popularly known as the ‘haat’ sellers due to their deep-rooted tradition of selling homegrown produce, the Hattis primarily deal in goods such as vegetables, crops, meat, and wool. They conduct their trade in local markets called ‘haat’. The men of the community distinguish themselves by wearing unique white headgear during special occasions.
The Hatti community resides along the border between Himachal and Uttarakhand on the basin of the Giri and Tons rivers. Up until Jaunsar Bawar’s secession in 1814, the Hattis residing in the trans-Giri area and Jaunsar Bawar were part of the royal estate of Sirmaur. The community features two Hatti clans with similar customs, including frequent inter-marriages.
The Hattis follow a fairly rigid caste system comprising the Bhat and Khash as upper castes and the Badhois residing below them. Inter-caste marriages are typically discouraged within the community.
The Hattis operate under a traditional council named ‘khumbli’, which akin to Haryana’s ‘khaps’, oversees community matters. Despite the advent of the Panchayati raj system, ‘Khumbli’ has managed to retain its authoritative role in community governance. The Hattis enjoy a substantial presence in about nine Assembly seats across the Sirmaur and Shimla regions.
Hatti Community’s Demand for Tribal Status
Since 1967, the Hattis have been consistently demanding Schedule Tribe status. This request was prompted by the tribal status given to residents of Jaunsar Bawar, Uttarakhand, a region that shares its border with Sirmaur district. The community lags behind in education and employment due to topographical disadvantages, especially in the Kamrau, Sangrah, and Shillai areas.
Status of Scheduled Tribes in India
Historically, Scheduled Tribes were referred to as ‘backward tribes’, living in areas categorized as ‘Excluded’ or ‘Partially Excluded’, according to the 1931 Census. The Government of India Act of 1935 first proposed representation for backward tribes in provincial assemblies.
The Constitution, however, does not define the criteria for Scheduled Tribe recognition. Initially, after independence, the definition from the 1931 Census was used.
There are legal provisions designed to protect the rights of Scheduled Tribes, such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 against Untouchability; the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989; the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996; and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Related Initiatives and Committees
Several initiatives aim at promoting the welfare of tribes and Scheduled Tribes. These include TRIFED, Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools, Development of PVTGs, and Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana. Over the years, committees like Xaxa Committee (2013), Bhuria Commission (2002-2004), and Lokur Committee (1965) have been established to study various issues related to Scheduled Tribes.
Notable Mention: Stand Up India Scheme
Launched on 5th April 2016, the Stand Up India Scheme aims to foster entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes/Schedule Tribes and Women. It provisions for a composite loan between Rs.10 lakh and upto Rs.100 lakh, inclusive of working capital for establishing any new enterprise. Other features include a Debit Card (RuPay) for drawal of working capital and a refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). An initial amount of Rs.10,000 crore is allocated towards this.