Include denotified tribes in next census data: Commission

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) The National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes has demanded inclusion of these tribes in census data and treatment of these communities as 'special groups'.

During the colonial rule, the police force and the people in general were taught to look upon these tribes as born criminals.

Speaking at the two-day National Consultation on: "Status and Future Course of Action in Relation to the Denotified" here, Chairman of the Commission Balakrishna Renake emphasised the need to create rural service sector and territorial right for this community.

He said inclusion in the Census data would help in planning economic and social interventions to improve their lot.

He said there should be meaningful education leading to better employment of youth of these communities.

The two-day consultation discussed the issues, problems and the status of these communities and also future course of action to improve their condition and status.

Some in the denotified, nomadic and semi nomadic tribes are termed nat, madari, sapera, rabari, gujjars, gadia lohar, among others.

India has a large population of denotified, nomadic and semi nomadic tribes or communities that are spread all-over the country.

These tribes were originally listed under the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871. Once a tribe became "notified" as criminal, all its members were required to register with the local magistrate.

However, after Independence, the communities notified as criminal tribals were denotified by the Government. This notification was followed by 'Habitual Offenders Act which preserved most of the provisions of the former CT Acts, excluding the premise implicit in it that an entire community can be 'born' criminal.

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