New Delhi, April 1 – Members of the Banjara (nomadic) community from Uttar Pradesh have appealed to the central government to grant them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, a long-standing demand that has seen repeated delays despite numerous proposals.
During an event held in the national capital on Monday, community representatives formally submitted their request to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. Responding promptly, Minister Oram forwarded the request to the secretary of the Tribal Affairs Ministry for further evaluation.
“Our demand has been pending for a long time. Though several proposals have been submitted to the Centre, the Registrar General of India (RGI) has repeatedly withheld support, citing the absence of our community in the 1931 census,” Nayak stated.
The request now awaits a formal review, as the ministry takes the next steps based on the community’s plea and historical context.
During an event held in the national capital on Monday, community representatives formally submitted their request to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. Responding promptly, Minister Oram forwarded the request to the secretary of the Tribal Affairs Ministry for further evaluation.
Disparity in Classification Across States
Om Prakash Nayak, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, emphasized the inconsistency in how the Banjara community is categorized across the country. While recognized as a Scheduled Caste in some states and as a Scheduled Tribe in others, the community remains excluded from the ST list in Uttar Pradesh.“Our demand has been pending for a long time. Though several proposals have been submitted to the Centre, the Registrar General of India (RGI) has repeatedly withheld support, citing the absence of our community in the 1931 census,” Nayak stated.
Historical Injustice Cited as Cause of Exclusion
Nayak further explained that the Banjara community’s exclusion from the census was a consequence of colonial-era policies. “The British administration had branded us under the Criminal Tribes Act, leading to forced evictions from villages. This act of labeling was due to fear of our bravery and unwavering loyalty to the nation,” he said.Ministry Assures Support
Minister Jual Oram expressed solidarity with the community's concerns and assured them of comprehensive support from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. “All possible help will be extended,” he said, signaling the government’s willingness to re-evaluate their demand.The request now awaits a formal review, as the ministry takes the next steps based on the community’s plea and historical context.
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