While reading one famous book by a famous historian, I came to know something about the Indian Hockey team of 1928 which won the Olympic Gold Medal. This team was captained by a person named "Jaipal Singh". He was a Munda from the eastern part of India. During the formation of our constitution in 1946, he made a speech before the house which goes on like this.
"As a Jungli, as an adibasi, I am not expected to understand the legal intricacies of the resolution. But my common sense tells me that every one of us should march in that road to freedom and fight together. Sir, if there is any group of people that has been shabbily treated it is my people. They have been disgracefully treated, neglected for the last 6,000 years. The history of the Indus Valley Civilization, a child of which I am, shows quite clearly that it is the newcomers - most of you here are intruders as far as I am concerned - it is the newcomers who have driven away my people from the Indus Valley to the jungle fastness... the whole history of my people is one of continuous exploitation and dispossession by the non-aboriginals of India punctuated by rebellions and disorder, and yet I take Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru at his word. I take you all at your word that now we are going to start a new chapter of Independent India where there is equality of opportunity, where no one would be neglected."
This speech was made in the context of providing an opportunity of equality to the tribal along with the mainstream people. His aspiration was realized at least on paper on 26 January 1950, creation of tribal states like Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, etc, and through de-notification of tribal communities in 1952. However, in-spite of many-a-such acts, the ground realities picture an altogether different portraiture of what was aspired.
The plight and these ground realities are brought beautifully into light by one such social reformer named "Mittal Patel". I was deeply absorbed by her emotional oration about the de-notified and nomadic tribes of India. She talks about the history of de-notified tribes and their pity. De-notified tribes are the tribes that were originally listed under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. Once a tribe became "notified" as criminal, all its members were required to register with the local magistrate, failing which they would be charged with a crime under the Indian Penal Code. The Criminal Tribes Act of 1952 repealed the notification, i.e. ‘de-notified’ the tribal communities. This act, however, was replaced by a series of Habitual Offenders Acts, that asked police to investigate a suspect’s criminal tendencies and whether his occupation is "conducive to settled way of life." The de-notified tribes were reclassified as habitual offenders in 1959.
There are 315 nomadic and 198 de-notified tribes in India. Though the constitution guaranteed them reservation but these invisible people of the society remained at the mercy of society, administration and political system of the country. Mittal talks about how their primary occupation is inter-twined as an 'essential' for our vibrant Indian society. She goes on listing different nomadic tribes like Sarnia, Natda, Nat (Snake Charmers), etc and how their occupation had been badly ruined in this age of technology and yes ! thanks to thoughtless acts and policies. Tribal people have long being dependent on nature and especially forests and its produce. With the age of industrialization and urbanization they have been forced to move out either to re-rehabilitate or to wander. This has caused them to look for alternate occupations.
An example of one of the worst affected are the tribals of Vadia village in Gujrat wherein, woman are forced to indulge in prostitution. I was shocked to hear that this happens right from their birth and all of the woman of this village have no other choice. Even their male family members act as agents of this business. Having no other means of livelihood and discarded by the so-called civilized society, it brings a shame to this Shining Country.
The problems do not end for these ladies and for many more of the de-notified or the nomadic tribes. They have no identity of their own and have no access to any education. The organization named VSSM functional in Gujrat and manned by Mittal is trying hard to provide them these much needed amenities. They are involved in rescuing these ladies and helping them in marriages to restore their respect. They have a mission to provide these de-notified tribes the respect that they really deserve and not being branded as criminals. The efforts of Mittal Patel does qualify her to be called a “Social Reformer” rather than just a “Social Worker”
The issue raised by Mittal Patal reminds us of what liberty, fraternity and social justice mean in the real context. It is for "We, The People of India" to initiate and help the disadvantaged sections of the society by giving them all they deserve after such exploitation. Be it forest produce rights, be it giving them identity, providing them education, giving them opportunities in employment or any other means that can uplift them and help them to be a part of the main-stream would be incomplete if our perceptions do no change that “they are out-cast”.
Jaipal Singh is not alive today, but had he been; he would have also cried after seeing the India of 2013. Giving the status if being Indian to these tribes is what they really want. This is all, what they deserve. After-all, most of us are intruders only. It is the tribes who are the real Indians.
The link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8cZ2iJARPM
This post is written for the Idea Caravan and Indiblogger in association with Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments partnered the TEDxGateway Mumbai in December 2012.
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