Latest news with #CriminalTribesAct
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
August 31 to be celebrated as ‘Bhatke Vimukt Diwas' across Maharashtra
Nagpur: In a move recognising the historical injustice faced by nomadic and denotified communities, the Maharashtra govt has approved the celebration of Bhatke Vimukt Diwas on August 31 every year. The decision marks a long-standing demand of these communities and aims to honour their struggle and contributions to nation-building. The announcement comes as a response to appeals made to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis by various community leaders and organisations, including the Bhatke Vimukt Vikas Parishad. Now, August 31 will now be observed at both state and district levels to commemorate the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act on the same date in 1952. Originally enacted in 1871 by the British regime, the Criminal Tribes Act branded 193 communities as "criminal," subjecting them to widespread discrimination, surveillance, and social ostracisation. The law caused generations of nomadic and denotified communities to suffer isolation and state-sanctioned atrocities. Sharing the update on social media, Nagpur Central MLA Pravin Datke expressed gratitude towards CM Fadnavis, OBC welfare minister Atul Save, and the Parishad for their role in achieving this milestone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "This is a fight for the dignity of our community. It is a tribute to the sacrifices and resilience of our ancestors," Datke wrote. Leaders and activists across the state welcomed the move, calling it a step forward in recognising historical injustices and reaffirming the state's commitment to social justice and inclusion. Celebrating Bhatke Vimukt Diwas annually is expected to raise awareness about the history, culture, and contributions of nomadic and denotified tribes in Maharashtra.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Stereotyping wildlife crime must stop
Questionable validity of executive action At the outset, the alerts by WCCB and MP PCCF do not specify the legal basis of their authority to pass such measures for surveillance. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1973 (WPA) mandates the requirement of 'reasonable ground' of the commission of a crime by a person before conducting any search, seizure or arrest. On the contrary, the alerts do not lay out any reasonable ground. They only mention individual cases from years ago (in the national memo of the WCCB) and name these communities, which is opposite to the purview of WPA. Further, it favours intrusive surveillance and prejudicial treatment against the tribals. It has put alleged hunting or nomadic communities subject to surveillance just on the basis of their caste/community is prima facie contrary to these legal standards. The alerts are against the right to privacy for being disproportional, without legitimate state interest and devoid of any legal basis. Recently, the Supreme Court in the cases of Sukanya Shantha vs. Union of India and in Amanatullah Khan vs. The Commissioner of Police took note of the stereotyping and selective targeting of formerly criminalised Vimukta communities. It strongly directed the necessity of preventive measures to safeguard such communities from being subjected to inexcusable targeting or prejudicial treatment. Legacy of manufacturing criminality in the forests As mentioned, there is an uncanny similarity between the alerts and the caste-colonial Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. The erstwhile act classified around 200 Nomadic & Semi Nomadic Tribes as hereditary & habitual criminals addicted to 'systematic commission of crime'. The legislation gave blanket powers to the executive to arbitrarily classify communities, put them under surveillance and restrict their movement by forcing them to reside in settlements created by the government. Dominant caste 'village headmen' were given the power to monitor and inform about the movements of these tribes/communities. The law effectively laid the ground for 'modern' surveillance infrastructure where detailed registers were maintained to monitor the movements of these communities branded as criminals. Even though the law was repealed in 1952, many laws about repeat offenders have kept the main idea of the CTA alive and relevant today.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Satti Chaura, Massacre Ghat should be declared national monuments'
1 2 Kanpur: Minister of fisheries and national president of the Nishad Party Sanjay Kumar Nishad, stated that this river bank is not just the edge of the Ganga, but is a witness to the sacrifices, bravery, and the first spark of freedom of the country by the Nishad community. "In 1857, Nishad boatmen drowned the British in the Ganga here, shaking the foundations of British rule. In retaliation, hundreds of Nishads were hanged without trial at the Massacre Ghat, and in 1871, the Criminal Tribes Act labelled the Nishad community as 'born criminals,' and humiliated them," said Sanjay Nishad while addressing a gathering in a programme organized in the memory and on the occasion of the Resolution Day of the Nishad community at Satti Chaura Ghat on Friday. Sanjay Nishad said, "Today, we are fighting our battle through the Constitution, pen, and vote to ensure separate reservations for the Nishad community." He demanded that Satti Chaura and Massacre Ghat be declared as national monuments and that the truth about the Criminal Tribes Act be included in school curriculum, emphasizing that Nishad children should learn about their ancestors' bravery to instil pride and prepare future generations for leadership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Избавляемся от боли в суставах с помощью натуральных средств! Здоровые Суставы Undo The Nishad community leader detailed various welfare schemes initiated by the Central and the state govts for the upliftment of the fishing community, such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Fishermen Accident Insurance Scheme, Kisan Credit Card, Intensive Fish Farming Aeration System, Nishad Raj Boat Scheme, Mata Suketa Cage System, and Fish Farmer Welfare Fund. These schemes are being transparently delivered to the community, with pond and reservoir leases being prioritised for the Nishad community, and the government is fully committed to removing illegal encroachments and protecting water resources, he added. Regarding the Etawah Katha Vachak controversy, the minister condemned the incident as highly reprehensible, and said that the Indian Constitution grants all citizens equal rights to perform and conduct religious rituals, and no caste can be deprived of this. When asked about the removal of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' from the Constitution, he remarked that any constitutional amendment requires a parliamentary majority, questioning the basis on which the Congress had added these words during the Emergency when democracy was nearly suspended. He suggested that there should be a debate in Parliament on this issue, and if the words are deemed necessary by it, they should remain; otherwise, they should be removed. "In a democracy, no amendment can be made without collective consent of the people and Parliament," he said.
