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For decades, the de-notified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic communities of India have lived on the fringes of society, their contributions to Indian civilization often overlooked by history books. However, recent efforts by the Anthropological Survey of India (An.S.I.) and the landmark Idate Commission are shedding light on the "despicable" conditions these communities face and the urgent need for scientific documentation and social reform.
The Idate Commission: A Scientific Approach to Amelioration
The Idate Commission, chaired by Shri Dada Bikuram Idate—a social activist from Konkan—submitted its comprehensive report to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in May 2018. Shri Idate, who has personal experience as a member of a marginalized community, advocates for an objective and scientific assessment of these people's lives. His approach, rooted in scientific methodology, emphasizes a "sustaining strategy" to improve their living conditions rather than just cataloging their struggles.
The commission’s findings are staggering, estimating the population of these communities to be close to 150 million people, divided into more than 800 distinct communities.
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| De-notified and Nomadic Communities: Struggle after Independence |
Historical Background: From Freedom Fighters to "Criminals"
History has not been kind to these groups. Shri Idate points out that nomadic people played a significant role in India's freedom struggle, highlighting figures like Umaji Naik, whom he considers one of the greatest men in Maharashtra's history. Despite this, many of these communities were historically stigmatized and labeled as "criminal".
A pivotal moment in their history is August 31, 1952, their "Day of Liberation". On this day, the wired barricades of the Sholapur Settlement—which housed thousands of de-notified people—were cut. While often attributed to Pandit Nehru, records show the wires were actually cut by the Governor of Bombay, Sir Girija Shankar Bajpai, and activist Ganpatrao Devji Tapase.
Furthermore, the very identity of these groups has been a point of contention. Roughly forty years ago, the term "De-notified Tribes" was changed to "De-notified Communities," a move that many feel eclipsed their tribal identity and affected their access to specific protections.
The Current Reality: A Struggle for Survival
Today, the condition of these 110 to 150 million people is described as heartrending. The decline of traditional occupations due to technological shifts has pushed many into extreme poverty.
- The Gadulia Lohar: Shri Idate recounted seeing a frail woman from this nomadic community striking iron with a heavy hammer just four days after giving birth, driven by the desperate need to sustain her household’s economy.
- The Saraniya Community: Traditionally knife-sharpeners and members of local militia, this community in Gujarat saw their livelihood collapse as technology changed. With no land and no work, many women were forced into the flesh trade to avoid starvation.
These women have challenged outsiders who come to "preach" morality, stating that if they had work and dignity, they would never choose such a path. They emphasize that prostitution is not a "traditional occupation" but a result of systemic collapse.
Ongoing Documentation and the Path Forward
The An.S.I. is currently engaged in a national project to document these communities ethnographically, using the Idate Commission's report as a primary guide. This project involves field investigators reaching remote abodes to track down communities that are sometimes listed but "untraceable".
By shifting from "studying from above" to a "perspective from below," researchers hope to restore the dignity of these communities and ensure they are no longer eclipsed by the larger narrative of the establishment.
Trying to understand the history of de-notified communities without acknowledging their systemic marginalization is like looking at a tree that is withering and blaming the leaves for turning brown, without realizing that the soil has been depleted of nutrients and the roots have been intentionally severed for generations.