DNT/Nomadic Tribess Consultation,Mumbai

The XISR in association with EcoNet (Pune),

Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work (Mumbai) and TISS (Mumbai)

are organizing

Consultation (State Level) on the De-notified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)

Constitutional and Citizenship Rights of the DNTs in the Context of

The ongoing Census and the Recommendations of the Statutory Commission’s Report

Agenda

1. The Constitution of India, the Census and the Indian State: Do these exclude and marginalize the DNTs and deprive them of basic citizenship rights?

2. The Reneke Commission Report and its Recommendations: Suggestions for implementation and the road ahead.

3. Release of the Lokdhara Journal (Marathi) published by XISR.

4. Distribution of certificates to course participants.

5. The DNTs and its past, present and future leadership: Hopes, Frustrations and Challenges.

Date: 10^th September (Sat)

Venue: XISR Hall, St Xavier’s College, Mumbai

Time: 10.30 to 5.00 pm

Forwarded by

Kalidas Shinde

Ph.D Scholar

Concept Note: Consultation on the subject of the DNTs

The de-notified and nomadic tribes (DNTs) of India are among the most marginalized and oppressed communities. In fact their situation can be considered far more deplorable and serious than the other vulnerable groups anywhere in the world. In many places they are objects of suspicion and prejudice and are hence stigmatized and ostracized. Although mainstream society shuns them, many of its constituents, like the police, politicians and others, use and abuse the DNTs for personal and other gains. It is well known that they are used by the law and order machinery as convenient scapegoats when heinous crimes sensational reported creates a fear psychosis among the people.

History is witness to not only the positive contribution of the DNTs to the lives of settled populations and the country as a whole but, more importantly, also to the horrific injustice and crimes committed against these hapless peoples by both the above entities. But historical narratives omit most of these and so the stories and history of these tribes have been largely untold, and whenever and wherever told, have been coloured by the prejudices and hatred of mainstream society. Consequently, an overwhelming majority of these people suffer from illiteracy, ill health, extreme poverty, rejection and all kinds of injustices. Since they also keep moving and migrating, and have generally no permanent shelter, they are left out of the Census and so become not only ‘invisible’ in the eyes of the state but are also excluded from the benefits, rights and privileges that accrue to citizens.

By and large, they are outside the list of castes and tribes that enjoy Affirmative Action in the form of Reservations etc. “If there is any group which is most deserving of reservation, it is definitely this group”, declared a very eminent Prof of Population studies and who has been involved with past Census operations. He himself was unaware of such communities whose population is estimated to be anywhere around 80 to 100 million. Their existence is only being recognized now and although they belong to a separate category of ‘DNTs’ such a nomenclature is hardly ever used, because it is hardly known.

The leaders of the DNTs are now demanding that they be counted as citizens; that their separate and unique identity as members of these communities safeguarded; and their culture and language preserved. In the ongoing ‘Caste Census’ they are asking that they be not clubbed in the dubious ‘others’ category but that a separate and distinct category ‘NT-DNT’ be created and they be included in that. They are obviously demanding affirmative action from the State and other public bodies. The Statutory Commission has made several recommendations that need to be implemented.

This Consultation hopes to throw more light on the above issues of exclusion, oppression, injustice, marginalization, invisibility and non-recognition of their existence as the original inhabitants of the land. It hopes to also generate more awareness about the multiple tragedies and immense suffering of these peoples with a hope to redressing the historical wrongs and continuing injustices and atrocities committed against them by the modern State and Society.

Concluded

Anthony Dias, XISR, St Xavier’s College Campus, Mumbai