-Kailash Chandra

It has been 77 years since India attained independence, yet a significant section of the country continues to struggle for its distinct identity; these are the Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic communities, collectively known as the DNT, NT, and SNT communities. While estimates place their population between 80 and 110 million, the irony is that no national census in India has ever enumerated them as a separate category. Consequently, the proposed census of 2027 has kindled a new sense of hope among these communities, as it presents the possibility- for the very first time of their identities being clearly and officially recorded.

The plight of these communities lies buried beneath the dust of history. The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 declared approximately 150 to 200 communities as criminals by birth. Although this draconian law was repealed in 1952, the stigma of criminalization in the eyes of society has yet to fade. Even today, in many regions, they continue to face police surveillance, social discrimination, and deep-seated mistrust.

The absence of a distinct category for these communities in the censuses conducted since India's independence constitutes another major shortcoming. The government has argued that their identities are already accounted for within state-specific lists; however, experts attribute this situation to policy ambiguity and administrative inertia. The situation is so complex that a single community may be classified as a Scheduled Caste (SC) in one state, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in another, an Other Backward Class (OBC) in a third, and in some instances, may not appear in any official list whatsoever. Consequently, this leads to gross disparities in access to welfare schemes, scholarships, reservation benefits, and rehabilitation programs.

Indeed, several commissions have even noted that funds allocated specifically for these communities are frequently misappropriated by others before they can ever reach their intended beneficiaries. Furthermore, the lack of a permanent residential address has effectively excluded them from accessing identity cards, ration cards, banking services, and healthcare schemes. The ‘Renke Commission’ observed that government resources rarely reach these communities. Two major commissions—Renke (2008) and Idate (2018)—conducted detailed studies and offered several significant recommendations; however, their implementation remains extremely limited to this day. Even the Supreme Court has refrained from intervening in this matter, deeming it a component of government policy; consequently, these communities now look entirely to the Central Government for a decision.

Regrettably, these communities remain virtually invisible within India’s media landscape and national discourse. While debates on social justice often revolve around the SC, ST, and OBC categories, references to the DNT, NT, and SNT communities are rarely encountered. Experts refer to them as India’s invisible social class; yet, even amidst this obscurity, there shines a ray of hope. If the 2027 Census were to accord them a distinct identity, the nation would, for the first time, obtain accurate demographic data regarding them; this would enable the formulation of precise policies, facilitate better targeting of funds, and pave the way for decisive action to redress centuries of neglect.

This is precisely why these communities assert: Identity is the first step toward rights. Amidst all this, a positive development is that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has, over the past few years, engaged in deep and sustained work among the nomadic and semi-nomadic communities of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Working in collaboration with the administration, Sangh volunteers have facilitated the issuance of Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and identity cards to over 50,000 families, thereby enabling them to access government schemes and public welfare systems for the very first time.

Skill development programs spearheaded by the Sangh, encompassing trades such as tailoring, carpentry, handicrafts, agricultural techniques, mobile repair, and folk art training—have instilled a newfound sense of self-reliance in numerous families. Furthermore, initiatives focused on education, healthcare, de-addiction, and social harmony have bolstered the communities' self-confidence and played a pivotal role in integrating them into the social mainstream. Amidst this entire landscape, one thing is clear: this large and multi-faceted social segment of India still awaits recognition and dignity. For them, the 2027 Census is not merely a matter of statistics; rather, it serves as the first stepping stone toward their identity and self-respect. When and how the nation takes this step will ultimately determine the future of these communities in the times to come.

(The author is a social activist and columnist)

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Hindusthan Samachar / Mayank Chaturvedi