The Parliamentary panel on Social Justice and Empowerment has recently called for swift categorisation of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes in India under either the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) or Other Backward Class (OBC) lists. The delay, it is feared, prolongs their suffering and excludes them from welfare packages.
Understanding Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
Denotified tribes, also known as DNTs, are communities that were previously classed as ‘born criminals’ during British rule as per a series of laws initiated with the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. This classification was abolished by Independent India in 1952, prompting the term “De-Notified”. A handful of these communities were also nomadic.
Nomadic and semi-nomadic communities are those who traditionally move from place to place instead of settling permanently in a single location. These tribes, along with De-notified tribes, have historically lacked access to private land or home ownership. While many DNTs fall under the categories of SC, ST, or OBC, others aren’t included in any of these divisions.
Commission and Committees on DNTs
Over the years, numerous commissions and committees have been created to address the struggles of these communities. These include the Criminal Tribes Inquiry Committee (1947), Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Committee (1949), and Kaka Kalelkar Commission – the first OBC Commission (1953). The B P Mandal Commission, which was constituted in 1980, also made recommendations concerning the issue.
In 2002, the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) observed that DNTs have been incorrectly marked as crime-prone and have endured ill-treatment and exploitation. It’s estimated that roughly 10% of India’s population is made up of Nomadic and Denotified Tribes, considered the largest nomadic population in South Asia.
Challenges Faced by Nomadic Tribes
These communities often lack basic amenities such as drinkable water, shelter, sanitation, alongside access to healthcare and education. They’re frequently subjected to discriminatory treatment and torture by local administration and police due to their historical criminal stigma.
Owing to their transitory nature, these tribes don’t usually have permanent settlements, which also leads to the absence of social security cover as they lack the necessary documentation like Ration Cards or Aadhar Cards. This results in failing to receive benefits under government welfare schemes. Their unclear caste categorisation is an additional hindrance, with different states classifying the same communities under different categories.
Developmental Efforts for These Tribes
There have been several initiatives aimed at improving the experiences of these communities:
Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for DNTs: Launched in 2014-15, this nationally sponsored scheme provided educational support to those DNT students who weren’t recognised under SC, ST or OBC categories.
Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels for DNT Boys and Girls: This initiative, also launched in 2014-15, aims to provide hostel facilities for DNT students pursuing higher education.
Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs: This plan envisages furnishing competitive exam coaching, health insurance, housing assistance, and employment initiatives. The Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) is responsible for the execution of this scheme.
Established under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the DWBDNC is accountable for implementing welfare initiatives aimed at uplifting these communities. The board was formed on February 21, 2019, under the leadership of Bhiku Ramji Idate.
