Indigenous People

 ‘De-notified Tribes’ stands for all those communities which were once notified under the Criminal Tribes Acts, enforced by the British Raj between l87l and I947. These Acts were repealed by the Independent lndian Government in l952, and these communities were “De-Notified”. The de-notified tribes can be found among the ST, SC and OBC tribe. De-notified tribes (DNTs) in India face a multitude of socio-economic challenges, stemming from historical marginalization and discrimination. Here are some key problems faced by these communities:

• Historical Stigmatization and Discrimination: De-notified tribes were historically criminalized under the British colonial rule through various criminal tribes acts. Even after independence, they continue to face social stigma and discrimination due to their past criminalization, leading to exclusion from mainstream society.
• Lack of Recognition and Identity: Many de-notified tribes do not have official recognition as Scheduled Tribes (STs) or Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which deprives them of the benefits of reservation in education, employment, and political representation. This lack of recognition also affects their access to welfare schemes and development programs.
• Economic Marginalization: DNTs often live in extreme poverty with limited access to livelihood opportunities. Traditional occupations such as performing arts, acrobatics, and itinerant trading have declined, leaving them without sustainable income sources. Lack of education and skills further exacerbate their economic vulnerability.
• Health and Sanitation Issues: De-notified tribes typically face poor health outcomes due to inadequate healthcare facilities, lack of awareness about health issues, and poor sanitation in their settlements. Malnutrition, high infant mortality rates, and prevalence of diseases are common among these communities.
• Landlessness and Housing Problems: Many DNTs are landless or have insecure land tenure, which prevents them from engaging in agriculture or other forms of livelihood dependent on land. Housing conditions are often substandard, lacking basic amenities like clean water, electricity, and sanitation.
• Education and Literacy: Access to education remains a significant challenge for de-notified tribes. High dropout rates, especially among girls, limited availability of schools in their settlements, and cultural barriers contribute to low literacy rates within these communities.
• Legal Vulnerabilities: Due to their socio-economic status and lack of awareness about legal rights, de-notified tribes are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. They often face harassment by law enforcement authorities and are at risk of being falsely implicated in criminal cases.
• Cultural Erosion: Rapid urbanization and modernization pose threats to the cultural identity and traditional knowledge of de-notified tribes. Younger generations often struggle to maintain their cultural practices and languages, leading to cultural erosion and loss of heritage.

  he Indian government has taken several steps to uplift de-notified tribes (DNTs) and improve their socio-economic conditions. Here are some key initiatives and measures:

  1. Recognition and Rehabilitation: The government has worked towards recognizing the historical injustice faced by DNTs by decriminalizing them and repealing the Criminal Tribes Acts. Efforts have been made to integrate them into mainstream society and remove the stigma associated with their past criminalization.
  2. Inclusion in Scheduled Tribes (ST) Category: Some states have included certain DNT communities in the Scheduled Tribes category, which entitles them to reservation benefits in education, employment, and other welfare schemes.
  3. Welfare Schemes and Development Programs: Various central and state government welfare schemes and development programs are targeted towards DNTs. These include financial assistance for education, skill development initiatives, healthcare facilities, housing schemes, and provision of basic amenities.
  4. National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes: The government has set up the National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNSNT) to study and recommend measures for their socio-economic development. The commission plays a crucial role in advocating for their rights and addressing their specific issues.
  5. Education and Skill Development: Special initiatives have been launched to improve educational opportunities for DNT children, reduce dropout rates, and enhance vocational training programs to equip them with employable skills.
  6. Healthcare Services: Efforts have been made to improve healthcare facilities in DNT settlements, increase awareness about health issues, and provide access to nutrition and sanitation facilities.
  7. Legal Aid and Awareness: Legal aid clinics have been established to provide legal assistance and raise awareness about legal rights among DNTs. This helps in protecting them from exploitation and discrimination.
  8. Cultural Preservation and Heritage: Steps have been taken to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of DNTs through cultural festivals, documentation of their traditional knowledge, and support for cultural institutions.
  9. Livelihood Support: Initiatives to promote sustainable livelihoods among DNTs include support for traditional occupations, promotion of self-help groups, microfinance schemes, and access to markets for their products.
  10. Research and Documentation: The government supports research and documentation efforts to study the socio-economic status, issues, and aspirations of DNTs. This helps in formulating targeted policies and programs for their upliftment.