Answer

Introduction

The forthcoming Census offers a critical opportunity to correct the historical invisibility of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, enabling their proper recognition in governance and advancing substantive social justice through evidence-based policymaking.

Body

Identification Challenges

• Category Confusion: DNT/NT communities are scattered across SC, ST, OBC lists or remain unclassified, making uniform identification difficult.
  Eg: Same community classified differently across States, many not listed anywhere.
• Nomadic Nature: Their mobile lifestyle makes enumeration through fixed household surveys inherently challenging.
  Eg: Groups like Banjaras, Gadiya Lohars frequently move, escaping Census capture.
• Data Absence: Lack of reliable population data leads to policy neglect and weak targeting.
  Eg: Estimates vary widely between 8–14 crore with no official Census count.
• Social Invisibility: Limited societal awareness results in their exclusion from mainstream discourse and policy focus.
  Eg: Most Indians are unaware of communities like Sapera, Kalbelia and Birhor.
• Colonial Legacy: Historical stigma continues to affect identification and trust in state processes.
  Eg: Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 branded them as “criminal”, effects persist.

Inclusion Challenges

• Policy Neglect: Lack of targeted schemes due to absence of clear recognition in policy frameworks.
• Institutional Gaps: Fragmented responsibility across ministries leads to weak implementation.
  Eg: No single nodal body exclusively for DNT/NT welfare.
• Benefit Exclusion: Without proper classification, many fail to access reservation and welfare benefits under SC/ST/OBC entitlements.
• Documentation Issues: Lack of identity and residence proof excludes them from welfare schemes.
  Eg: Nomadic groups struggle with Aadhaar, ration card linkage.
• Political Apathy: Limited electoral visibility reduces incentives for political prioritisation.
  Eg: Census 2027 ambiguity on DNT inclusion despite long-standing demands.

Measures for Integration

• Census Inclusion: Introduce a separate category/column for DNT/NT in Census for accurate enumeration.
  Eg: Demand raised by DNT-NT Federation for Census 2027.
• Clear Classification: Create a distinct constitutional or statutory category for these communities as recommended by the Idate Commission.
• Use Existing Data: Leverage reports and databases already available for identification and policy design.
  Eg: Renke Commission estimated population at 10.74 crore.
• Targeted Schemes: Design welfare programmes specific to livelihood, education, and housing needs of DNT/NT.
• Institutional Mechanism: Establish a dedicated authority for monitoring and policy coordination.

Conclusion

If the Census moves beyond counting to recognising the unseen, it can transform DNT/NT communities into stakeholders of development. Mobility must not mean marginalisation. Instead, it should ensure dignity, rights, and inclusion within India’s evolving governance framework.

DOWNLOAD PDF