The Kurmi community, a significant social group in India, has recently been in the spotlight due to its agitation for inclusion into the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and demand for constitutional recognition of the Kurmali language. This article presents all related aspects, providing an in-depth understanding of the ongoing situation.
Understanding the Kurmi Community
Kurmis are primarily a landowning farming community, with their status varying remarkably from region to region. Often referred to as “progressive farmers,” these individuals are known for leveraging maximum benefits from available development initiatives. Their presence is spread across numerous states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Goa, and Karnataka.
In terms of caste status, Kurmis fall under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category in both central and state lists for reservations in most states. In Gujarat, Patels, linked with Kurmis, fall in the general category, actively demanding OBC status. Contrarily, in West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, where ‘Kurmi’ translates to ‘Kudmi’, the community strives for inclusion among Scheduled Tribes.
The Demand for ST Status
The Kurmi population was not classified under communities recognized as STs during the 1931 Census and was omitted from the 1950 ST list. In 2004, the Jharkhand government recommended that Kurmis be incorporated into the ST list instead of being categorized as OBCs. However, the proposal, when forwarded to the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), determined that Kurmis were a sub-caste of Kunbis and were not tribal. Based on this assessment, the Centre discarded the Kurmi community’s plea to be considered as an ST.
Process of Inclusion in ST Status
The process of including a community in the list of Scheduled Tribes adheres to protocols formed in 1999. It must start with the proposal from the respective State or Union Territory government, forwarded to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry and subsequently to the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI). The proposal, if approved by the ORGI, is then sent to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, followed by being proposed to the Cabinet for an amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
The Kurmali Language
Kurmali, spoken primarily among the Kurmi community in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, belongs to the Bihari branch of the Indo-Aryan language family. Its unique traits make it similar to Maithili and Magahi. The language possesses its script, “Kurmi Kudali,” derived from the Devanagari script.
Previous Year Questions from UPSC Civil Services Examination
To provide insights into the examination pattern and relation between the issue and competitive examinations, few previous year questions related to Scheduled Tribes from UPSC Civil Services Examination are provided here:
1. A question in 2014 about an ecologically significant festival during which particular communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees.
2. In 2015, a question about the provisions in the Constitution of India made to protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes.
3. A question asked in 2019 about under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?
4. In 2022, a question about the consequence if a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The ongoing discussion around the Kurmi community’s demands reflects the complexities of India’s social and legal systems. It underlines the necessity for continual examination and amendments to ensure equitable representation for all communities.
