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The Sansi community represents a significant segment of India’s De-notified Tribes (DNT), a group of people whose history is marked by a transition from being integral members of society to being marginalized by colonial-era laws. Today, they are being documented by the Anthropological Survey of India (An.S.I.) to better understand their unique challenges and contributions to Indian civilization.
Historical Roots and Identity
The Sansi claim a proud lineage, asserting they are descended from the Rajputs. They revere Raja Sans Mal as their progenitor and guru. Historically, they were an inseparable part of the agrarian society in regions like Haryana.
However, their status changed drastically under British rule. Due to the enforcement of colonial land legislation, they lost their traditional livelihood practices. In a pivotal and damaging turn, the British government declared the Sansi a "Criminal Tribe" under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. While they were officially "de-notified" on August 31, 1952—a day celebrated by such communities as their Day of Liberation the legacy of this label persisted through the implementation of the Habitual Offender’s Act of 1959.
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| The Sansi of Haryana: Harsh "criminal" labels forced by history are being slowly written over by the lines of new homes, education, and ancestral pride |
Demographics and Culture
In the state of Haryana, the Sansi population was recorded at 50,684 during the 2011 Census. They are primarily found in districts such as Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Jind, Hissar, and Rohtak.
- Religion and Language: The vast majority (99.3%) follow Hinduism. While Haryanavi serves as their primary language (lingua franca), many in areas like Jind and Rohtak still speak the traditional Sansi dialect among themselves.
- Living Conditions: Roughly 81.4% live in rural areas, and most families reside in pucca or semi-pucca houses.
Socio-Economic Status and Education
The economic profile of the Sansi is diverse but largely centered on daily wage labor in construction and agriculture. However, there is evidence of upward mobility and varying circumstances:
- Land Ownership: In Kurukshetra and Karnal, many families possess agricultural land and engage in farming as their primary occupation.
- Professional Growth: While many have limited education (matriculation), some members have achieved graduation and post-graduation degrees, securing jobs in government and private sectors.
- Internal Hierarchy: Interestingly, there are prominent intra-community differences. Sansis in districts like Ambala and Kurukshetra often view themselves as more socially advanced and may avoid marriage negotiations with Sansis from other districts perceived as "backward" due to lower education or higher crime rates.
The Persistence of Stigma
Despite their efforts toward mainstreaming, the stigma of being "criminal" remains rampant in neighboring societies. The sources note that this leads to frequent atrocities by local police, who reportedly arrest innocent Sansi individuals simply to "match the missing statistics" in crime registers.
Within their own society, women are generally given a low status, though they play a critical role in the economy. They are active in agricultural operations, animal husbandry, and the collection of fuel and fodder.
Modern Welfare and Governance
Governance is shifting from the traditional Jati Panchayat (caste council) to the statutory Panchayati Raj system, which now monitors community development. To further support their socio-economic welfare, the Haryana government established the Vimukt Ghumantu Jati Vikas Board.
These localized efforts align with the broader national vision of activists like Shri Dada Bikuram Idate, who advocates for a scientific and objective assessment of such communities to move beyond "studying from above" and truly ameliorate their living conditions.