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Sir,
Please find enclosed an application by Smt. Tanuja Dipak Pawar, the widow of Dipak Pawar who
was shot dead by the police last week.
Smt. Tanuja Pawar does not find the police explanation acceptable and therefore she has appealed
for a high level inquiry of the incident and also explanation for the burial of the body under secrecy and
without allowing relatives to attend it. She has further requested a second post-mortem.
The suspicion raised about the role of the police, the popular sentiment regarding the incident and
the information that we have collected indicate that Tanuja's application is justified. Kindly institute inquiry
in this matter as promptly as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Balkrishna Renake
MAHARASHTRA BHATKE
VIMUKTA SANGHATANA
PARISHAD
Smt. Tanuja Dipak Pawar
58 Phata, Malshiras
Dist. Solapur
2-11-98
To,
Honourable Gopinathji Munde
Deputy C.M. & Minister for Home Affairs
Maharashtra State
Secretariate
Mumbai 400 032
Sub: Inquiry regarding the killing of my husband by the police of Malshiras Taluka (Thana Akluj) -
regarding the suppression of this incident, threats and physical harm caused to me and my relatives -
regarding getting false statements written from us :
Sir,
1. My parents have informed me that on Saturday (24-10-1998) afternoon at about suspicion to the police
went in a vehicle to their house. They put them in the vehicle and took them to the police-station, where
they were made to wait for twelve hours (from 2p.m. to 2a.m.). They were asked to put thumb impressions
on various documents. They were not allowed to leave even for urination. At 2 hours past midnight the
police brought my husband's body after conducting the post-mortem at the hospital. They put my parents in
the police vehicle and carried them and the dead body to the burial ground. The people required for digging
up the burial place were also brought by the police. The body was wrapped in cloth; my parents were not
allowed to unwrap it. They were not allowed to see the face of my husband, too. Salt, which is required for
laying in the grave was also brought by the police. They did not permit the burial as per our custom which
requires the presence of relatives. There were three jeep-load of policemen in the graveyard. But from
among the relatives, only my parents. The police have taken a photograph of my parents pushing earth into
the grave.
2. According to the newspaper report, the dacoits were travelling in a small truck (tempo) carrying milk.
The police stopped it with the help of their jeep. The dacoits attacked the policemen (who carried guns)
with sticks and swords. Two policemen were seriously injured. The policemen fired rounds in self-defence -
and as a result, Dipak Pawar died by being shot in the chest.
People in the nearby locality have told us on the condition of anonymity that the time was early dawn, and
it was not the hour of pitch darkness. The policemen were beating a single man. When he tried to escape
and run away, the police fired, he was shot in the back and collapsed.
3. a)My parents and his people have known him as Dipak. Though I am his wife, I am not aware that he had
a second name 'Irkya'. I am not aware why the police referred to him with that name.
b)The press reports, too, have stated that the police have observed excessive confidentiality in this
matter.
c)There is no knowledge of Dipak carrying any lethal weapon.
d)The small truck carrying milk which the police stopped : To whom did it belong ? Who
was the driver ? Did the driver know the dacoits ? Where did they board the truck ? Where were they
heading ? Does the driver have a statement to make ? And, why was the truck plying during midnight ? -
These questions have not been raised. The driver has not been arrested.
As per my information,
1. It is not true that two policemen were seriously injured.
2. The police found Dipak alone, while he was looking for me.
3. There were marks on his body indicating that he was beaten up by the police.
4. He was shot in the back, not in the chest.
5. The hour was not so dark that he could have taken advantage of the darkness and escaped.
6. My father has stated that the police asked him, "Bring Dipak's wife along. We will take her statement and
close the case."
Sir, considering all the above points, the police seem to have carried the burial in almost secrecy, in
heavy police presence, without unwrapping the body, without allowing my parents to see it, hastily, and
with a snap-shot of my parents taking part in it - all this as a cover-up.
Moreover, the police went to our make-shift hut near Crossing No. 58, and thrown about all the
belongings inside it. Our rationcard and voter's identity card have been confiscated. The german-silver pots
and pans have been crushed. During Diwali I had collected a few sweet-meats by begging in many houses :
all that and salt and chilly condiments have been thrown on the ground, mixed with the earth. A few saris
which I had have been taken away. A few pots, too. We have kept receipts of purchase for these. The latch
and the lock, and the thatched walls are broken.
They treat us cruelly so that life becomes difficult, and we surrender to their whims, so that we
write statement of any kind as they desire.
1. An inquiry by an independent officer or the C.I..D. may be instituted to investigate the killing of my
husband, Dipak Suresh Pawar.
2. We are prepared to face police investigation. However, the inhuman treatment given to us, the damages
caused to our households, should be brought to an immediate halt. For this purpose, the necessary
instructions may be given. Protection may be provided to the following of my relatives as they have to face
harrassment :
1. My parents, : Shri Zirpya Mahadu Kale
stationed at Akluj Smt. Sharadi Zirpya Kale
2. My sister : Smt. Radhabai Hunkarya Bhosale
3. My sister-in-law : Smt. Rakma Duryodhan Kale
4. My sister-in-law : Smt. Nakushi Shahaja Kale
5. My niece : Smt. Sangita Balu Pise
6. My aunt : Smt. Shubhabai Hunkar Bhosale
Yours humbly,
(Impression of right hand thumb)
Tanuja Dipak Pawar
2. Honourable chairman,
National Human Rights Commission
Sardar Patel Bhavan
Sansad Marg
New Delhi 110 001
3. Shri G. N. Devy
Secretary,
Denotified & Nomadic Tribals rights Action Group
6, United Avenue, Near Dinesh Mill, Baroda 390 007
We are extremely grateful that you gave us your time to present our views on the plight of the
Denotified and Nomadic Tribal Communities of India and to share our sense of outrage about the treatment
given to them by the police and other communities.
The approximate population of the communities designated as Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of
India's is over two crores, though exact census figures are not available due to change of the DNT status to
SC/ST in various states. These communities were identified as 'Criminal' tribes (which included both castes
as well as tribes) during the British rule. We have enclosed here a list of such communities available for the
year 1952. However, there may be a number of gaps in the list provided. Though the notification was
annulled during the early years of independence (1950-52), the police as well as the general public
continue to treat most of these unfortunate communities as 'born criminals' and 'habitual criminals'. For
instance, the text of "Bombay Habitual Offenders Act, 1959", is enclosed as an example of the series of
legal amendments leading to the Denotification. Our recent survey in several districts of Maharashtra, to
which this Act applies, showed that the communities are still being treated as 'born criminals'. We brought
to the notice of the police authorities, the Press and the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra the cases of
atrocities that we came across. In other states of India too, every day brings in instances of mob-lynching,
arson and police atrocities caused to the innocent and helpless DNTs.
We have been collecting evidence and atrocity stories and writing/speaking about them in order to
create public opinion on this issue. Mahasveta Devi has been working with the DNTs for over two decades
in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Laxman Gaikwad, a Sahitya Akademi awardee and a DNT himself, has been
working in Maharashtra for about fifteen years. There are others in other states involved in the work and
helping us in this movement. However, we think that this issue needs to be taken up with the utmost sense
of urgency at the highest executive level, so that independence reaches the DNTs.
In our appeal presented to the Ministry of Social Welfare on the 14th of May, we had requested
that the following measures be considered in the question of the DNTs.
1. To direct the Police Training Academies (for the IPS as well as state
level PS) to remove misleading information about the DNTs from their
syllabi.
2. To establish a special cell in the Ministry of Social Justice for
undertaking preparation of a fresh and accurate list of Denotified
communities, so that directions can be given to the Census of India
to take up the survey more comprehensively in the year 2001.
3. To introduce provisions for exemplary punishment to all those in the
police and State Governments who are deliberately forcing many of
the DNTs to lead a life of criminality.
4. To undertake special programmes of social upliftment and economic
betterment of the DNTs through the tribals sub-plans and other
schemes already in operation.
5. To launch a massive information campaign aimed at bringing about
change in the general attitude towards the DNTs.
6. To introduce a new legislation in the Parliament to cover all aspects
of the DNT issue in such a way that the stigma of criminality will
be removed from the life of so many million innocent Indians.
We presented a similar petition to the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission on the 14th
May. We also had discussions with the Chief Election Commissioner and the Registrar & Commissioner,
the Census of India. During these discussions, various suggestions were considered. The NHRC has
formally constituted an Advisory Group to prepare a report by the first week of July. Similarly, Smt Maneka
Gandhi, Minister of Social Welfare, has invited us for a meeting in her Ministry at 11.00 a.m. on the 25th
May.
While we will be presenting more information related to the DNT issue to these offices, I
would like to sincerely urge you to consider the possibility of appointing a National Commission for a
comprehensive review of the social and economic situation of the DNTs. Such a commission can bring
together inputs from NGOs, Government offices, Legal experts and Members of the Parliament. The
Denotified and Nomadic Communities have suffered social injustice for a very long historical period.
We hope you will take personal interest in this matter, and if necessary draw the attention of the
Prime Minister to this problem, and help these vulnerable section of the Indian Society in ending
their
miseries.
I shall leave for Delhi (to attend the meeting with Smt. Maneka
Gandhi) on the morning of the 24th May. In case this dispatch reaches you before that date and if you
would like me to meet you in Gandhinagar---for visiting the infamous Chhara ghetto- kindly inform me at
telephone 0265-331968 / 351487 or Fax 0265-331130, which will enable me to reschedule my travel plans.
I have prepared a video documentary on the Chharas. In case it suits you to spare 15-20 minutes on the
25th/26th of May, Smt. Mahasveta Devi and I can come to your office and play the documentary.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
G.N.Devy
Secretary
Listing of Criminal Tribes prior to 1952
UTTAR PRADESH
7. BHARS : C.T. in U.P. once Suryavanshis occupied and rules over Ayodhya. The Chero
aborigins banished the Suryavanshis and ruled there. The Aryans drove the Bhars, Cheros
and other tribes to the hills, then the tribals came down and re- conquered Ayodhya etc. That is
what Elliott says. In U.P. they are Raj Bhars.
8. BORIYA (also ARAKH; Bahelia; Pasi, Raj Pasi) C.T. in Fatehpur and Kanpur districts
of U.P.
15. GHOSIS : Muslim herdsmen C.T. in Aligarhi; Etah and Mainpuri districts of U.P.
25. MUSAHARS : C.T. in Beneras division districts of U.P. (Dravidian Jungle Tribes).
HYDERABAD
MADRAS PRESIDENCY
3. Lambadi in Madras
6. Buda Bukkalas; also Ghakalas and Pamulas : C.T. in Guntoor District of Madras
State.
8. Dommars or Domars (Reddis & Arais) : were a C.T. in Madras State and still in
Post-denotification period C.T. in Hyderabad State.
10. IRULARS : C.T. in North and South Arcot; Trichinopoly and Madras City of
Madras State; Forest Tribe.
15. KEPUMARIS : Mainly in Kurnool; Salem; Coimbtoor and South Arcot Districts.
16. Kintali Kalingas : were C.T. in 6 villages in Pondur P.S. Limits of Vizagapattanam
District.
18. KORACHAS almost all over Madras State under different local names : Koracha;
Korava; Erukula; Koravar S.C. in Mysore State.
27. PICHARIS : C.T. in Bellary District of Madras. Same as PARDHIS, a hunter tribe.
29. Poligars : C.T. in Chittoor District - A martial tribe. In a battle with the British
1799-1801 they killed 15 British Officers.
38. VALAYARS : As early as 1868 they were mentioned as " a low and debased
class", in the manual of Madura District. C.T. in Madura and Coimbatoor Districts
of Madras State.
BOMBAY STATE
1. LAMANIS of Bijapur, Belgaum and Dharwad districts (also known as Sugalis) notified
as C.T. in Bombay State.
3. VHAMPTA (Rajput) : Rajput Bhamta or Pardesi Bhamtas are a distinct class than
TAKARI BHAMTAS. C.T. in Bombay province.
2. BARRAS : Notified in Punjab; Patiyala and East Punjab's States union S.C.
9. DHEAS or DHES : C.T. also S.C. in Punjab, Patiyala also East Punjab States Union.
11. GANDHILLAS : C.T. in Patiyala district, East Punjab states Union and the Punjab.
In Punjab they are S.C.
12. JATS (GUTKAS or DILLONS) : Gurkas and Dillon Jats are C.T. in some parts of
the Punjab State.
13. Kanjars : C.T. in the Punjab; Patiyala and East Punjab states union in Punjab S.C.
other states S.T.
16. MINAS : C.T. in the Punjab, Patiyala and East Punjab States Union.
19. SANSIAS : C.T. in the Punjab, Patiyala, East Punjab states union.
11. Kanjars : C.T. in Madhya Bharat; Rajasthan, Ajmer and Bhopal states. They are S.C. in
these places.
12. MINAS : MINA CHOWKIDARS have also been notified in some parts of Rajasthan
(Better placed as they were former rulers of land later held by Jaipur Kings)
7. DOMS : MAGHALYA, DONS: C.T. in Bihar, only the convicted ones are C.T. in West
Bengal.
9. ORIYA DOMS and ALIDINIYAS are C.T. in Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal.
13. GONDAS : C.T. in Orissa, convicted ones are C.T. in West Bengal.
14. HANDIJOGIS : C.T. in Banglore and Kokir districts of Mysore state, also S.C.
18. KORACHAS & KORAVAS : C.T. in Mysore States under names. Also ERUKULA and
KORAVAR. S.C. in Mysore State.
19. LODHAS or LODAHS : C.T. in Singhum District in Bihar the convicted ones are C.T. in West
Bengal. In West Bengal, they are S.C. (correction they are S.T. also found in Mayurbhanj -
Mahashweta Devi.
22. MUSAHARS : C.T. in Bihar, also S.C. there (Dravidian Jungle Tribe)
23. ODDARS or WODDARS : C.T. Mysore also S.C. there.
Contents
Preamble
Sections
Chapter I
Preliminary
Chapter II
Registration of Habitual Offenders and Restriction of their Movements.
Chapter IV
Penalties and procedure
17. Penalty for failure to comply with certain provisions of the Act
18. Arrest of persons found outside restriction area or corrective
settlement
19. Enhanced punishment for certain previously convicted persons
20. Punishment for certain registered Offenders found under suspicious circumstances
21. Penalty for failure to arrest a habitual Offender
Chapter V
Miscellaneous
22. Bar of Jurisdiction
23. Bar of Legal Proceeding
24. Power to delegate
25. Power to make rules
26. Savings
27. Repeal and Savings
Chapter I
Preliminary
Chapter II
Registration of Habitual Offenders and Restriction of their Movements
3. Power of State Government to direct registration of habitual offenders, - The State Government
may direct the District Magistrate to make a register of habitual offenders within his district, by entering
therein the names and other prescribed particulars of such offenders.
4. Procedure for preparing a register of habitual offenders. - For the purpose of carrying out the
direction given under section 3, the district Magistrate or any officer appointed by him in this behalf shall,
by notice in the prescribed form to be served in the prescribed manner, call upon every habitual offender in
the district -
(a) to appear before him at a time and place specified in the notice;
(b) to furnish such information as may be necessary to enable him to enter the name and other
prescribed particulars of the habitual offender in the register; and
(c) to allow the finger and palm impressions, foot-prints and photographs of the habitual offender to
be taken :
Provided that the name and other prescribed particulars of the habitual offender shall not be
entered in the register, unless he has been given reasonable opportunity of showing cause why such entry
should not be made.
6. Power to take finger and palm impressions, footprints and photographs at any time. - The District
Magistrate or any officer appointed by him in this behalf may at any time order the finger and palm
impressions, footprints and photographs, of any registered offender to be taken.
(1) Every registered offender shall notify to such authority, and in such manner as may be prescribed,
any change or intended change of his ordinary residence :
Provided that where such offender changes or intends to change, his ordinary residence to another
District (whether within the State or not) he shall notify the change or intended change to the District
Magistrate.
(2) The District Magistrate may, by order in writing, direct that any registered offender shall -
(a) report himself once in each month, or where the District Magistrate for reasons specified in the
order so directs, more frequently, to such authority, and in such manner, as may be specified in the order,
and
(b) notify any absence or intended absence from his ordinary residence to the authority:
Provided that the District Magistrate may exempt any such offender from notifying any absence or
intended absence from his ordinay residence for such period, and under such conditions, as appear to him
reasonable.
12. Power to cancel or alter restriction of movements. - The State Government may, by order, cancel
any order made under section 11, or alter any area specified in an order under the section :
Provided that before making such order, the State Government shall consider the matters referred
to in sub-section (2) of section 11 in so far as they may be applicable.
Chapter III
Corrective Training of Habitual Offenders
Chapter IV
Penalties and Procedure
17. Penalty for failure to comply with certain provisions of the Act.
A habitual offender who without lawful excuse, the burden of proving which shall lie upon him, -
(a) fails to appear in compliance with a notice issued under section 4 or
(b) intentionally omits to furnish any information required under that section, or furnishes as true any
information which he knows, or has reason to believe, to be false or does not believe to be true, or
(c) refuses to allow his finger and palm impressions, foot-prints and photographs to be taken by any
person acting under an under an order passed under section 6, or
(d) fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 7 or with an order of the District
Magistrate under sub-section (2) thereof or with an order under section 11, may be arrested without
warrant, and shall be punished -
(i) on first conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine
which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both, and
(ii) on a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year
or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupes, or with both
Provided that, if the court, after taking into consideration the offender's age and physical and
mental condition and his suitability for receiving training of a corrective character, in a corrective
settlement, is satisfied that it is expedient with a view to his reformation and the prevention of crime, that he
should receive training of a corrective character for a substantial period, the court may, in lieu of sentencing
the offender to any punishment under this section, direct, after giving him an opportunity of showing cause
(and after consulting the officer prescribed on the capacity of the corrective settlements to receive him) that
he shall receive corrective training in a corrective settlement for term not exceeding three years, as it may
determine.
18. Arrest of person found outside restriction area or corrective settlement. - If any person -
(a) is found outside the area to which his movements have been restricted in contravention of the
conditions under which he is permitted to leave such area, or
(b) escapes from any corrective settlement in which he is placed, he may be arrested without warrant
by a police officer, police patel or village watchman and taken before a Magistrate who, on proof of the
facts, may order him to be removed to such area or to such corrective settlement, there to be dealt with in
accordance with this Act and the rules made thereunder.
Chapter V
Miscellaneous
22. Bar of jurisdiction. - No court shall question the validity of any direction or order issued under this
Act.
23. Bar of legal proceedings. - No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the
State Government or any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this
Act.
24. Power to delegate. - The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that
any power exercisable by it under this Act except the power under section 25 may also be exercised subject
to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the notification, by such officer not below the rank of a
District Magistrate as may be specified therein.
26. Savings - Nothing in this Act affect the powers of any competent authority under any other law for
the time being in force to make an order of restriction or detention, and any order passed or direction made
under this Act in so far as it conficts with any other made by a competent authority under such law shall be
deemed to be inoperative while the order under such law remains in force.
27. Repeal and savings - On the commencement of this Act, the following Acts, that is to say.-
(1) the Bombay Habitual Offenders Restriction Act, 1947 (Bom. LI of 1947).
(2) the Hyderabad Habitual Offenders (Restriction and Settlement) Act, 1954 (Hyd. XXII of 1954),
and
(3) the Saurashtra Habitual Offenders Restriction Act, 194751 (Sau. XXXI of 1951) shall stand
repealed :
Provided that such repeal shall not affect -
(a) the previous operation of any Act so repealed, or anything duly done or suffered thereunder;
(b) any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under any any Act so
repealed;
(c) any penalty, forfeiture or punishment incurred in respect of any offence committed against any Act
so repealed;
(d) any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, liability,
penalty, foreiture or punishment as aforesaid; and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may
be instituted, continued or enforced and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed, as if
this Act had not been passed:
Provided further that, subject to the preceding proviso, anything done or any action taken
(including orders or rules made, notices issued and settlements established or approved) under any Act so
repealed shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been done
or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act, and shall continue in force according unless and
until superseded by any thing done or any action taken under this Act.
Sections
231 Counterfeiting coin.
232 Counterfeiting Indian coin.
233 Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting coin.
234 Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Indian coin.
235 Possession of instrument or material for the purpose of using the
same for counterfeiting coin
239 Delivery of coin possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit.
240 Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is
counterfeit.
242 Possession of counterfeit coin by person who knew it to be counterfeit
when he became possessed thereof.
243 Possession of Indian coin by person who knew it to be counterfeit
when he became possessed thereof.
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
379 Theft.
380 Theft in dwelling house, etc.
382 Theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in
order to the committing of the theft.
384 Extortion
385 Putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion
386 Extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt.
387 Putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit
extortion.
392 Robbery.
393 Attempt to commit robbery
394 Voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery.
395 Dacoity.
397 Robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt.
398 Attempt to commit robbery or dacoity when armed with deadly
weapon.
399 Making preparation to commit dacoity.
400 Belonging to a gang of dacoits.
401 Belonging to a gang of thieves
402 Assembling for purpose of committing dacoity.
411 Dishonestly receiving stolen property.
414 Assisting in concealment of stolen property.
451 House-tresspass in order to commit offence punishable with
imprisonment.
452 House-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint.
453 Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking.
454 Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking in order to commit offence punishable with
imprisonment.
455 Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking after preparation for hurt,
assault or wrongful restraint.
456 Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night.
457 Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night in order to commit
offence purnishable with imprisonment.
458 Lurking house-trespass or house-breaking by night after preparation
for hurt, assault, or wrongful restraint.
459 Grievous hurt caused whilst committing lurking house-trespass or
house-breaking.
460 All persons jointly concerned in lurking house-trespass or house-
breaking by night punishable where death or grievous hurt
caused by one of them.
II
Offence under the Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956 (IV of 1956).
We are extremely grateful for your keen interest in the question of the Denotified and Nomadic
Tribes of India. On behalf of our colleagues in the Denotified and Nomadic Rights Action Group, we
sincerely thank you for inviting us to this meeting.
We have studied the Action plan proposed by the Ministry of Welfare for development of DNTs,
which we find is extremely thoughtful and takes into consideration all suggestions made in our petition
presented to you on the 4th May 1998.
We submit the following suggestions for your consideration and inclusion in the Action Plan :
Therefore, we humbly submit that the studies to be undertaken may be focused on some of the
habitats of major former settlements of DNTs (including the surrounding area of 60 to 80 kms. radius). We
further suggest that the following settlement habitats may offer excellent instances for fruitful study:
Similarly, some specific community spread over several States may be made the subject of indepth
study so that a comparative perspective on the relation between allocation and social transformation may
emerge.
For instance the following two communities could be selected in the
initial stages:
iii) Bihar : OBC, using Bangla as ingroup language and Bangla and
Hindi as intergroup languages.
We believe that intensive studies of these communities will clearly indicate the parameters to be
used in the action laid dow under item 7, page 7 of the Ministry's Action Plan.
'for those who still have not been settled to agricultural or other
residential occupation and do not possess land or other landed
property'.
4. We assure you that in the plans made by the Ministry, we will extend
our whole hearted co-operation in the task of improving the social
condition of the DNTs and removing the stigma of criminality at
tached to such a large and vulnerable section of our society. We will
be prepared to undertake any study or pilot-projects for execution as
suggested by the Ministry.
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
17-8-1998
There are approximately six crores of Denotified and Nomadic Tribals in India spread over all
states and belonging to nearly 190 communities. Because, these communities have been treated as criminal
during the colonial times, even after their denotification their lot has not improve much. The Denotified and
Nomadic Tribals Rights Action Group has been campaigning to defend the human rights of the DNTs. The
campaign is spearheaded by Smt. Mahasveta Devi. 30th August is the day on which the denotification was
announced in 1952. We have decided to hold a National Convention of the DNTs on the 30th August this
year at Ahmedabad, where one of the settlements was established for the DNTs during the British time. The
convention will be attended by the representatives of numerous denotified communities from all parts of the
country. We expect that nearly three thousand representatives will attend the convention.
It is our sincere hope that you preside over the convention and address to the representatives of six
crores of India's most unfortunate and neglected people. Today, in our country there is no other person in
public affairs as widely respected and as deeply loved by people of India in all states and all classes as you
are. You are universally known and respected for your integrity and moral stature. It is therefore that we
approach you with our humble request to spare one day from your very busy schedule and give us the
benefit of your advice. There is fortunately a direct flight (evening) between Calcutta and Ahmedabad; and
I hope you will seriously consider sparing a day for this noble cause. Smt. Mahasveta Devi will personally
contact you to seek your consent. However, let me add that you will have infinite gratitude from us as well
as the six crores of India's DNTs for your kindness in accepting this invitation.
Yours sincerely,
G.N.Devy
EXTREMELY URGENT & FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
24 August 1998
Mr. Rasik Thania Chhara, age 44, of Chhara Nagar, Ahmedabad, father of 3 children, was arrested
under the provisions of PASA by the Sardar Nagar Police on 21 August 1998, and sent to Porbandar Jail for
detention. The arrest was made without any ostensible
provocation or justification, and without any existence of apprehension regarding law and order problem in
the area.
Our organisation will be holding a National Convention of DNTs at Chhara Nagar on Sunday the
30th August 1998. Mr. Rasik Chhara had been helping us in providing local hospitality for the delegates to
the Convention. He also allowed us to use his house as premises for holding a meeting to chalk out our
plans for starting a Community
Development Centre in that locality. We believe that this unwarranted arrest is not
unrelated to Mr. Chhara's participation in social reform.
I pray to you to kindly take immediate steps so that the PASA detention order is revoked before the
28th of August 1998.
All representatives of DNTs from India will be extremely grateful to Your Honour and the NHRC
for this valuable help.
Yours sincerely,
G.N.Devy
Hon. Just. D.K. Basu
Chairman, Legal Aid Services
West Bengal
Hon. Just. Basu,
Please pardon the delay in responding to your FAX and telephone message. The convention is
scheduled at Ahmedabad on Sunday, the 30th of August at Chharanagar, (a former DNT settlement)
The programme will begin at 10 a.m. and continue till 1. p.m., i.e. the lunch hour.
After the lunch break we will have sectional meetings with the representatives of the DNTs
We have made arrangements for your stay at the National Institute of Design guest house.Smt.
Mahashweta Devi, Shri Pradip Kumar Ray, Prof. Romila Thapar and some others will also be staying there.
We will have a group of legal professionals meeting you at the NID guest house at 6 p.m. on the 30th
August, and of course I will at the airport to receive you and Mr. Roy
There is a very good response for the convention and I hope it will achieve the desired results.
With warm regards,
Yours sincerely,
G.N. Devy
Honourable Justice Venkatachalaiah
Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
Sardar Patel Bhavan
Sansad Marg
New Delhi 110 001
It has been reported to me that Raju Narubhai Rathod, a Denotified tribal belonging to the Chhara
community, died in police custody at the Kandivali police station, Bombay, on 2nd/3rd October 1998. He
was forty years old and had a family of wife and three children.
1. To initiate criminal procedings against the officials responsible for Raju Rathod's death.
2. To order a second and independent post-mortem, a copy of the report of which may be handed over to
Raju's widow.
3. To direct the Government of Maharashtra to pay adequate compensation to the family of the deceased.
Considering the high incidence of custodial deaths of Denotified tribals in Maharashtra, it will be greatly
appreciated if action is taken by the NHRC promptly.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
10-10-1998
We are extremely grateful that you agreed to permit us the use of Alpana Theatre for a charity
show of Govind Nahlani's film 'Hazar Churasir - Ki Maa'. I grately appreciate your support to the cause of
the welfare of Denotified tribals. The show will be held on 25th October 1998. Kindly let me know the
Yours sincerely,
(G. N. Devy)
10-10-98
I am grateful that you agreed to come to Baroda on the 25th October for a cherity show of Hazar Churasir-
ki Maa. Thanks also for getting the consent from Smt. Jaya Bachchan.
I am trying to invite Dipa Bhatia and Amol Gupta too for the occasion.
Smt. Mahasveta Devi will arrive in Baroda on the 24th evening by Calcutta-Ahmedabad flight. If you and
Jayaji decide to travel on the 24th evening, I will suggest to her that she travel via Bombay so that you can
arrive here on the same flight. As soon as I know your convenience, I will send your tickets to you.
Meanwhile, please let me know how to
arrange for getting the print of the film here.
Yours truly,
(Ganesh Devy)
FAX : 011-3383979
13-10-98
Executive Head
Zee TV Network
Werli
Mumbai
Sir,
In the programme 'India's Most Wanted' telecast on Sunday, 11-10-98 from 1.00 to 1.30 a.m.,
featuring information about Babu Kishan Kale, Shankar Kashiram Pawar and Suratiya Pawar, several
statements were made in general about the Pardhi community to the effect that the members of Pardhi
community are criminal.
The Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group is an organisation working for social
reforms within the Denotified communities and for removing the stigma of criminality of which these
communities are victims.
I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the programme telecast by ZEE TV Network has done
immense harm to those members of the Pardhi community that lead a life of honesty and hard-work. We
have been having a dialogue with the National Human Rights Commission regarding protection of the
rights of such
people, that is those who belong to Denotified Communities and are wrongly stagmatised just because they
are born within a certain community. On the basis of that dialogue I may point out to you that it is quite
possible for us to challenge your organisation in the court and bring a stay on further release of such
programmes.
However, we also recognise and respect your right to spread information about various social
issues to the viewers. As such, instead of taking recourse to the
judiciary, I would like to suggest that a meeting between the producer of this
programme and a representative of our organisation be arranged at the earliest.
This will give us a chance to point out the damages caused by the programme to thousands of
innocent lives. It will also give the producer a chance to continue the programme by modifying its contents.
Please consider the above and let me have your views at the earliest.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
G.N.Devy)
4-5-1998
We are extremely grateful for giving us time to present our views on the plight of the Denotified
and Nomadic Tribal Communities of India and to share our sense of outrage about the treatment given to
them by the police and other communities.
The approximate population of the communities designated as "Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of
India's is over two crores, though exact census figures are not available due to change of the DNT status to
SC/ST in various states. These communities were identified as 'Criminal' tribes (which included both castes
as well as tribes) during the British rule. We have enclosed here a list of such communities available for the
year 1952. However, there may be a number of gaps in the list provided. Though the notification was
annulled during the early years of independence (1950-52), the police as well as the general public
continue to treat most of these unfortunate communities as 'born criminals and habitual criminals'. For
instance, the text of "Bombay Habitual Offenders Act, 1959", is enclosed as an example of the series of
legal amendments leading to the Denotification. Our recent survey in several districts of Maharashtra, to
which this act applies, showed that the communities are still being treated as "born criminals". We brought
to the notice of the police authorities, the press and the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra the cases of
atrocities that we came across. In other states of India too, every day brings in instances of mob-lynching,
arson and police atrocity caused to the innocent and helpless DNTs.
We have been collecting evidence and atrocity stories and writing/speaking about them in order to
create public opinion on this issue. Smt. Mahasvetadevi has been working with the DNTs for over two
decades in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Laxman Gaikwad, a Sahitya Akademi awardee and a DNT himself,
has been working in Maharashtra for about fifteen years. There are others in other states involved in the
work and helping us in this movement. However, we think that this issue needs to be taken up with the
utmost sense of urgency at highest executive level, so that independence reaches the DNT's. We have come
to you to make an appeal on behalf of the 2 crores of the DNT's to persuade the Government of India to
take the following steps immediately :
1. To direct the Police Training Academies (for the IPS as well as state
level PS) to remove misleading information about the DNTs from
their syllabi.
2. To establish a special cell in the Ministry of Social Justice for
undertaking preparation of a fresh and accurate list of Denotified
communities, so that directions can be given to the Ceusus of India
to take up the survey more comprehensively in the year 2001.
3. To introduce provision for examplary punishment to all those in the
police and State Governments who are deliberately forcing many of
the DNTs to lead the life of criminality.
4. To undertake special programmes of social upliftment and economic
betterment of the DNTs through the tribals sub-plans and other
schemes already in operation.
5. To launch a massive information campaign aimed at bringing about
change in the general attitude towards the DNTs.
6. To introduce a new legislation in the Parliament to cover all aspects
of the DNT issue in such a way that the stigma of criminality will
be removed from the life of so many million innocent Indians.
We sincerely urge you to take these suggestions for implementation at the very earliest and,
thereby, give a new direction to the shameful history of Denotified Communities which has turned millions
into people branded as criminals from birth, though in reality they are no less in patriotism than other
Indians. We hope you will earn the gratitude of nearly 2 crores of DNTs by taking up this matter with the
seriousness that it deserves.
Yours sincerely,
Smt. Mahasvetadevi
Dr. G.N.Devy
Shri Anand
UTTAR PRADESH
1. BADAKS and BADHIKS : notified S.C. in Badaun; Kheri; Mathura
and Shahjahanpur district of U.P. They are S.C.
2. BANJARA; VANJARI, LAMANI, LAMBHDI, LAMBADI : C.T. in
four districts of U.P.
3. Barwars : Worshippers of Hindu Gods and Mohmmedan Pirs : C.T.
Gonda; Hardoi; Sultanpur and Bareli Districts in U.P. (S.C. there).
4. Bauriah : Baoriess; Baurias; Bawariyas; Bawaris; Marwaris; MOGHIA
: C.T. in Muzzaffar Nagar and Meerut district in U.P. (S.C. there).
5. BEDYAS : C.T. in parts of U.P. also known as BERIAS.
6. BHANTUS : C.T. in U.P. confined in settlements in U.P. (S.C. there).
7. BHARS : C.T. in U.P. once Suryavanshis occupied and ruled over
Ayodhya. The Chero aborigines banished the Suryavanshis and ruled
there. The Aryans drove the Bhars, Cheros and other tribes to the
hills, then the tribals came down and re-conquered Ayodhya etc. That
is what Elliott says. In U.P. they are Raj Bhars.
8. BORIYA (also ARAKH; Bahelia; Pasi, Raj Pasi) C.T. in Fatehpur
and Kanpur districts of U.P.
9. CHAMARS : C.T. in ETAWAH; GHAZIPUR; JAHWPUR, in the rest
of U.P. (S.C. there).
10. DALERA/DALARIA : C.T. in BARELLI; Meerut and Moradabad
districts of U.P. (Famine Driven).
11. DOMS (MAGHAIYAS; ORIYAS; AUDINIYAS; BANSFORES) : S.C.
but C.T. in U.P. MAGHALYS DOMS. ORIYA DOMS are notified S.C. in U.P.
12. DUSADHS (CHAKAIS; PALWARS; MAGHIYAS) : PALWAR
DUSADHS C.T. in Balliya district of U.P.
13. GANDHILLAS : C.T. in Muzzaffar Nagar of U.P.
14. Gidhais : C.T. in Moradabad District of U.P.
15. GHOSIS : Muslim herdsmen C.T. in Aligarhi; Etah and Mainpuri
districts of U.P.
16. GUJARS : C.T. in U.P. (Tradition cattle grazers)
17. HABURAS : C.T. in U.P. where they are S.C.
18. KANJARS : C.T. in U.P.
19. KARWAL NATS : C.T. in U.P.
20. KEWATS : C.T. in Basti district of U.P.
21. KHATIKS : C.T. in Basti & Gonda Districts of U.P.
There are Hindu Khatiks and Muslim Khatiks in U.P. , S.C.
22. LODHAS or LODAHS : C.T. in Mainpuri and Fatehpur districts of
U.P.
23. MALLAHS : C.T. in U.P.
24. MEWATIS : C.T. in U.P.
25. MUSAHARS : C.T. in Benaras division districts of U.P. (Dravidian
Jungle Tribes).
26. NUTS or NATS : C.T. in parts of U.P.
27. OUDHIAS : C.T. in Kanpur and Fatehpur Districts of the U.P.
28. PASIS : C.T. in U.P.
29. SANSIAS : C.T. in U.P. and Delhi
30. TAGA BHATS : C.T. in Saharanpur District of the U.P.
31. BHALIAS/AHERIAS : S.C. in U.P.
HYDERABAD
1. DOMNARS or DOMARS (Reddys and Arais) : in post denotification
period C.T. in Hyderabad State.
2. DONGA YERUKANS/KORACHAS/KORAVAS : C.T. in Hyderabad
3. KAIKADIS : C.T. in Hyderabad.
4. KOMAKAPUS : C.T. in Hyderabad State.
5. ODDARS or WODDARS : C.T. in Hyderabad State.
6. TALEGA PAMULAS or PEDDATY-GOLLAS or THELLA
PAMAWADS ; C.T. in Hyderabad under the name "THELLA
PAMAWADS - YERA GOLLAS, PEDDITI GOLLAS,
PARIKINOKKAAS & GURU DASARIS.
7. YENADIS (Madras) or YENADIWADS (Hyderabad) : YENADIS C.T.
in Madras, YENADIWAD C.T. in Hyderabad.
MADRAS PRESIDENCY
1. ADI-DRAVIDAS IN Chingelput District
2. Ambalgars/Moottankampadti and Suriyanur; Trichinapalli District.
3. Lambadi in Madras
4. Bhattu Turkas, C.T. in Chittoor District of Madras State
5. BOWAS (PEDDAS and DONGAS) : in Kurnool; Belrarvi;
Ananthapur;Cuddapah and Chittoor in the Madras State also known
BEDARS/BERAD on or after 1/1/1920 in Bombay State. (Originally
a martial people, task force of Hyder Ali or Tipu's army). According
to Enthoven in Belgaum an independent Bedar state under
the Peshwas. Rebelled against the British, defeated in 1820. In
Bombay State Bedar uprising in 1829 and 1825.
5.1 PAIGIAS : C.T. in Madras
6. Buda Bukkalas; also Ghakalas and Pamulas : C.T. in Guntoor District
of Madras State.
7. Dasaris (Dongas & Gudas) : C.T. in Madras State, all over.
8. Dommars or Domars (Reddis & Arais) : were a C.T. in Madras State
and Still in Post-denotification period C.T. in Hyderabad State.
9. GHASIS : C.T. in Visakhapattanam District in Madras State.
10. IRULARS : C.T. in North and South Arcot; Trichinopoly and Madras
City of Madras State; Forest Tribe.
11. Jogis/Jogulas; C.T.
12. KALADIS, also "PARAYARS" C.T. in Ramanad District. Classed as
S.C.
13. KALLARS (PERAMALAIS; KOOTERPALS and PERIYA
SURIYURS) : C.T. in Madura North and South; Tanjore and
Trichanapoly Districts.
14. Kanjars : also Madras State
15. KEPUMARIS : Mainly in Kurnool; Salem; Coimbatore and South
Arcot Districts.
16. Kintali Kalingas : were C.T. in 6 villages in Pondur P.S. Limits of
Vizagapattanam District.
17. Konda Doras : South Vizagapattanam District (Hill Cultivators)
18. KORACHAS almost all over Madras State under different local names
: Koracha; Korava; Erukula; Koravar S.C. in Mysore State.
19. KARUMBARAVAS : C.T. in Ramvad Dist. of Madras.
20. Modigas : C.T. in the Kurnool District.
21. Malas : C.T. in Madras S.C. there.
22. Maravars ( Sambanads and Appanad-Kondayan-Kottai Maravars) :
C.T. in Tinnevelly and Ramnad Districts of Madras.
23. Mutharachas : C.T. in Madras State. Same as Muthurians.
24. NAKKALAS : C.T. in East Godavari District.
25. NOKKARS/NOKKANS : C.T. in Chingleput District.
26. ODDARS/WODDARS : C.T. in Madras.
27. PICHARIS : C.T. in Bellary District of Madras. Same as PARDHIS,
a hunter tribe.
28. Pichiguntalas : C.T. in Cuddapah District.
29. Poligars : C.T. in Chittoor District - A martial tribe. In a battle with
the British 1799-1801 they killed 15 British Officers.
BOMBAY STATE
1. LAMANIS of Bijapur, Belgaum and Dharwad districts (also known
as Sugalis) notified as C.T. in Bombay State.
2. BHAMTAS (IAKARIS) : C.T. in Bombay province. Also known as
GHANTICHOR and UCHALYA. In Bombay state known as KHIS-
KATTRUS; VADARI, KALWADOAR; TUDUG WAWDAR;
KAWATIS.
3. VHAMPTA (Rajput) : Rajput Bhamta or Pardesi Bhamtas are a distinct
class than TAKARI BHAMTAS. C.T. in Bombay province.
4. BHILS : Were convicted of non-bailable offences, or were required
to give security under Section 110 Cr. P.C. on or 1.1.1920, were
notified as C.T. in East and West Khandesh, Nasik, Ahmednagar,
Puna and Solapur district in Bombay State.
5. BOYAS ( PEDDAS and DONGAS) also known as BEDARS or
BERADS on or after 1.1.1920 C.T. in Bombay State (originally
martial people, soldiers of Hyder Ali & Tipu's Army). In Belgaum
independent State under the Peshwas. Under the British
they rebelled and were defeated in Bombay State uprising in 1829
and 1895.
6. KALKADIS : C.T. in Bombay State, also Hyderabad.
7. KANJARS : C.T. also in Bombay
8. MAN-GARUDIS : C.T. in Bombay State. (S.C. there).
9. NIRSHIKARIS, also Hiran Shikari, or Pardhi in Bombay State.
10. TADVIS : C.T. in Bombay on or after 1.1.1920
UTTAR PRADESH
1. BADAKS and BADHIKS : notified S.C. in Badaun; Kheri; Mathura
and Shahjahanpur district of U.P. They are S.C.
2. BANJARA; VANJARI, LAMANI, LAMBHDI, LAMBADI : C.T. in
four districts of U.P.
3. Barwars : Worshippers of Hindu Gods and Mohmmedan Pirs : C.T.
Gonda; Hardoi; Sultanpur and Bareli Districts in U.P. (S.C. there).
4. Bauriah : Baoriess; Baurias; Bawariyas; Bawaris; Marwaris; MOGHIA
: C.T. in Muzzaffar Nagar and Meerut district in U.P. (S.C. there).
5. BEDYAS : C.T. in parts of U.P. also known as BERIAS.
6. BHANTUS : C.T. in U.P. confined in settlements in U.P. (S.C. there).
7. BHARS : C.T. in U.P. once Suryavanshis occupied and ruled over
Ayodhya. The Chero aborigines banished the Suryavanshis and ruled
there. The Aryans drove the Bhars, Cheros and other tribes to the
hills, then the tribals came down and re-conquered Ayodhya etc. That
is what Elliott says. In U.P. they are Raj Bhars.
8. BORIYA (also ARAKH; Bahelia; Pasi, Raj Pasi) C.T. in Fatehpur
and Kanpur districts of U.P.
9. CHAMARS : C.T. in ETAWAH; GHAZIPUR; JAHWPUR, in the rest
of U.P. (S.C. there).
10. DALERA/DALARIA : C.T. in BARELLI; Meerut and Moradabad
districts of U.P. (Famine Driven).
11. DOMS (MAGHAIYAS; ORIYAS; AUDINIYAS; BANSFORES) : S.C.
but C.T. in U.P. MAGHALYS DOMS. ORIYA DOMS are notified S.C. in U.P.
12. DUSADHS (CHAKAIS; PALWARS; MAGHIYAS) : PALWAR
DUSADHS C.T. in Balliya district of U.P.
13. GANDHILLAS : C.T. in Muzzaffar Nagar of U.P.
14. Gidhais : C.T. in Moradabad District of U.P.
15. GHOSIS : Muslim herdsmen C.T. in Aligarhi; Etah and Mainpuri
districts of U.P.
16. GUJARS : C.T. in U.P. (Tradition cattle grazers)
17. HABURAS : C.T. in U.P. where they are S.C.
18. KANJARS : C.T. in U.P.
19. KARWAL NATS : C.T. in U.P.
20. KEWATS : C.T. in Basti district of U.P.
21. KHATIKS : C.T. in Basti & Gonda Districts of U.P.
There are Hindu Khatiks and Muslim Khatiks in U.P. , S.C.
22. LODHAS or LODAHS : C.T. in Mainpuri and Fatehpur districts of
U.P.
23. MALLAHS : C.T. in U.P.
24. MEWATIS : C.T. in U.P.
25. MUSAHARS : C.T. in Benaras division districts of U.P. (Dravidian
Jungle Tribes).
26. NUTS or NATS : C.T. in parts of U.P.
27. OUDHIAS : C.T. in Kanpur and Fatehpur Districts of the U.P.
28. PASIS : C.T. in U.P.
29. SANSIAS : C.T. in U.P. and Delhi
30. TAGA BHATS : C.T. in Saharanpur District of the U.P.
31. BHALIAS/AHERIAS : S.C. in U.P.
HYDERABAD
1. DOMNARS or DOMARS (Reddys and Arais) : in post denotification
period C.T. in Hyderabad State.
2. DONGA YERUKANS/KORACHAS/KORAVAS : C.T. in Hyderabad
3. KAIKADIS : C.T. in Hyderabad.
4. KOMAKAPUS : C.T. in Hyderabad State.
5. ODDARS or WODDARS : C.T. in Hyderabad State.
6. TALEGA PAMULAS or PEDDATY-GOLLAS or THELLA
PAMAWADS ; C.T. in Hyderabad under the name "THELLA
PAMAWADS - YERA GOLLAS, PEDDITI GOLLAS,
PARIKINOKKAAS & GURU DASARIS.
7. YENADIS (Madras) or YENADIWADS (Hyderabad) : YENADIS C.T.
in Madras, YENADIWAD C.T. in Hyderabad.
MADRAS PRESIDENCY
1. ADI-DRAVIDAS IN Chingelput District
2. Ambalgars/Moottankampadti and Suriyanur; Trichinapalli District.
3. Lambadi in Madras
4. Bhattu Turkas, C.T. in Chittoor District of Madras State
5. BOWAS (PEDDAS and DONGAS) : in Kurnool; Belrarvi;
Ananthapur;Cuddapah and Chittoor in the Madras State also known
BEDARS/BERAD on or after 1/1/1920 in Bombay State. (Originally
a martial people, task force of Hyder Ali or Tipu's army). According
to Enthoven in Belgaum an independent Bedar state under
the Peshwas. Rebelled against the British, defeated in 1820. In
Bombay State Bedar uprising in 1829 and 1825.
5.1 PAIGIAS : C.T. in Madras
6. Buda Bukkalas; also Ghakalas and Pamulas : C.T. in Guntoor District
of Madras State.
7. Dasaris (Dongas & Gudas) : C.T. in Madras State, all over.
8. Dommars or Domars (Reddis & Arais) : were a C.T. in Madras State
and Still in Post-denotification period C.T. in Hyderabad State.
9. GHASIS : C.T. in Visakhapattanam District in Madras State.
10. IRULARS : C.T. in North and South Arcot; Trichinopoly and Madras
City of Madras State; Forest Tribe.
11. Jogis/Jogulas; C.T.
12. KALADIS, also "PARAYARS" C.T. in Ramanad District. Classed as
S.C.
13. KALLARS (PERAMALAIS; KOOTERPALS and PERIYA
SURIYURS) : C.T. in Madura North and South; Tanjore and
Trichanapoly Districts.
14. Kanjars : also Madras State
15. KEPUMARIS : Mainly in Kurnool; Salem; Coimbatore and South
Arcot Districts.
16. Kintali Kalingas : were C.T. in 6 villages in Pondur P.S. Limits of
Vizagapattanam District.
17. Konda Doras : South Vizagapattanam District (Hill Cultivators)
18. KORACHAS almost all over Madras State under different local names
: Koracha; Korava; Erukula; Koravar S.C. in Mysore State.
19. KARUMBARAVAS : C.T. in Ramvad Dist. of Madras.
20. Modigas : C.T. in the Kurnool District.
21. Malas : C.T. in Madras S.C. there.
22. Maravars ( Sambanads and Appanad-Kondayan-Kottai Maravars) :
C.T. in Tinnevelly and Ramnad Districts of Madras.
23. Mutharachas : C.T. in Madras State. Same as Muthurians.
24. NAKKALAS : C.T. in East Godavari District.
25. NOKKARS/NOKKANS : C.T. in Chingleput District.
26. ODDARS/WODDARS : C.T. in Madras.
27. PICHARIS : C.T. in Bellary District of Madras. Same as PARDHIS,
a hunter tribe.
28. Pichiguntalas : C.T. in Cuddapah District.
29. Poligars : C.T. in Chittoor District - A martial tribe. In a battle with
the British 1799-1801 they killed 15 British Officers.
BOMBAY STATE
1. LAMANIS of Bijapur, Belgaum and Dharwad districts (also known
as Sugalis) notified as C.T. in Bombay State.
2. BHAMTAS (IAKARIS) : C.T. in Bombay province. Also known as
GHANTICHOR and UCHALYA. In Bombay state known as KHIS-
KATTRUS; VADARI, KALWADOAR; TUDUG WAWDAR;
KAWATIS.
3. VHAMPTA (Rajput) : Rajput Bhamta or Pardesi Bhamtas are a distinct
class than TAKARI BHAMTAS. C.T. in Bombay province.
4. BHILS : Were convicted of non-bailable offences, or were required
to give security under Section 110 Cr. P.C. on or 1.1.1920, were
notified as C.T. in East and West Khandesh, Nasik, Ahmednagar,
Puna and Solapur district in Bombay State.
5. BOYAS ( PEDDAS and DONGAS) also known as BEDARS or
BERADS on or after 1.1.1920 C.T. in Bombay State (originally
martial people, soldiers of Hyder Ali & Tipu's Army). In Belgaum
independent State under the Peshwas. Under the British
they rebelled and were defeated in Bombay State uprising in 1829
and 1895.
6. KALKADIS : C.T. in Bombay State, also Hyderabad.
7. KANJARS : C.T. also in Bombay
8. MAN-GARUDIS : C.T. in Bombay State. (S.C. there).
9. NIRSHIKARIS, also Hiran Shikari, or Pardhi in Bombay State.
10. TADVIS : C.T. in Bombay on or after 1.1.1920
The following is the text of the note on Advisory Group on the Human rights of the De-notified Communities and
others similarly placed communities prepared by Dr. Rajeev Dhavan and submitted to the National Human Rights
Commission.
Introduction :
1.1. From the end of the eighteenth century through to Independent India, successive British regimes in India followed a
policy of constituting certain communities and groups as criminal through various statutory and other notifications.
(Reg. XII of 1793 : Act XXX of 1836 : Notification of Criminal Tribes and Castes Act 1871, renewed in 1910 and 1920)
1.2. The statutory demarcation of their communities added to their isolation and further victimization, led to invidious
treatment being meted out towards them, the destruction of their existing or potential resource base, increasing social and
governmental persecution and the continuance of inhuman treatment towards them from one generation to the next, with
no hope or respite.
1.3. The Criminal Tribes Act 1871-1911 was repealed in Madras in 1947 and Bombay in 1949 and more generally, in 1952
(following the All India Criminal Tribes Enquiry Committee of 1949). However, the plight of these 'so-called' tribes ---
now statutorily renamed 'denotified communities' (DC) or vimukta jatis has worsened. According to one estimate drawn
from the census, the Census of 1961 placed their number at 27,102,180 in 1961. Such estimates are inexact. Various
government reports simply refer to these communities as "unspecified". A large number of peoples are thus, even
excluded from the memory of enumeration.
1.4. Although British settlements for these communities proved to be persecutorial ghettos, some ameliorative measures were
suggested for their plight - a sentiment echoed in the Report of the Backward Classes Commission (1955) but, never
firmly put into effect.
None the less, the possible benefits of the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act in 1952 was short lived, in that 'Habitual
Offenders' legislation was passed by various States opening up precisely the same avenues for mal-identification and
persecution as the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
1.5. Over the last few years, various concerned literatures and activities have pointed to the continuing plight of the DCs and
asked for the creation of a National Commission to examine the issue.
( see DNT Rights Action Group newsletter : Budhan by Mahasveta Devi and others)
1.6. There is sufficient testimony that the DCs are amongst the most disadvantaged and discriminated against communities in
the world and live in conditions of constant and continuous persecution. Possessed of no resources and little
programmatic help, there is little possibility of social redemption for them or their children for generations to come.
The Proposal :
2.1. Following discussions with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), it is proposed that an Advisory Group by
the NHRC be set up :
(a) To examine and report on the predicament of the denotified communities and others similarly placed on
an ongoing basis ;
(b) and, in particular,
(I) To consider how the NHRC public authorities and the public generally can be apprised of the
predicament of these communities.
(ii) To document information and data on the said communities;
(iii) To advise on how serial Demography and geographical location of these communities can be
ascertained in the Census;
(iv) To report on atrocities and prosecutions and denial of human rights to these
communities by officials and others; and suggest what can be done by way of immediate and long
term remedies in respect of such action's denials;
(v) To make any further reports or recommendations on any other matter referred to the by the NHRC
or which the Advisory Group considers appropriate.
2.1 The Advisory Group may add to their number with the permission of the Chairperson of the MHRC, and, may - at its
own discretion - appoint such further subgroups to assist it in its work.
2.3 The Advisory Group may have its meeting at the commission which shall provide such assistance and support as it may
consider appropriate.
In response to the Petition submitted to the Nationa Human Rights Commission by the Denotified and Nomadic Tribes
Rights Action Group and the Note prepared by Dr. Rajeev Dhavan, the NHRC issued the following order :
"The Petition above mentioned was placed before the commission on 18-5-1998 and as per directions therein, the Commission
has constituted an Advisory Group set out below to examine the matter and advise the Commission as to the nature of the
enquiries that the Commission could undertake as well as the recommendation that it could make to the Central/State
Governments on areas of human rights concerns in respect of the 'Denotified Tribes' and to furnish its advice and suggestions
within two months :
1. Shri B. D. Sharma, Chairman
2. Smt. Mahasveta Devi, Member
3. Dr. G. N. Devy, Member
4. Shri Laxman Gaikwad, Member
5. Smt. Ananya Chatterjee, Member
6. Dr. Rajeev Dhavan, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India, as the Legal Advisory of the Advisory Group.
I am, therefore, to forward, herewith a copy of the Commission's directions dated 18-5-1998 and to request you to submit
the report by 17-7-1998 for placing it before the Commission."
(Signed by Shri E. I. Malekar, Assistant Registrar--Law--National Human Rights Commission)
The approximate population of the communities designated as Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of India's is over six
crores, though exact census figures are not available due to change of the DNT status of SC/ST in various states. These
communities were identified as 'Criminal' tribes (which included both castes as well as tribes) during the British rule. Though
the notification was annulled during the early years of independence (1950-52), the police as well as the general public
continue to treat most of these unfortunate communities as 'born criminals' and 'habitual criminals' (for instance, the text of
'Bombay Habitual Offenders Act, 1959'). In India every day brings in instances of mob-lynching, arson and police atrocities
caused to the innocent and helpless DNTs. We have been collecting evidence and atrocity stories and writing/speaking about
them in order to create public opinion on this issue. Mahasveta Devi has been working with the DNTs for over two decades in
Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Laxman Gaikwad, a DNT himself, has been working in Maharashtra for about fifteen years. There
are others in other states involved in the work and helping us in this movement. However, we think that this issue needs to be
taken up with the utmost sense of urgency at the highest executive level, so that independence reaches the DNT's.
Itinerant and nomadic communities have always eluded the understanding of mainstream population. Though these
communities had been playing a useful role in the villages as traders of food grains, salt etc., suppliers of forest produce, and
entertainers, their touch-and-go existence had woven a cloud of suspicion and mystery around them. As the static pattern of life
changed to one supported by large scale communication networks like roads, railways etc. and industries, under the colonial
rule, most of the functions performed by the wandering communities became irrelevant. Having no land and other resources to
bank on, some sections of the communities were forced to oppose the British law.
After the Mutiny, the British administration, in a paranoid mood, was seeing crime everywhere. Their inability to
understand the life-style of the wandering communities compounded by the suspicion that some of them had aligned with the
Mutineers led them to take a very harsh view on these people. Following the philosophy of caste system, they interpreted that
crime too was a caste based feature in India. This culminated in the enactment of the first Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, which
Under these Laws, the local administrations had wide powers to identify and notify whole communities as criminals and to
regulate and confine them in prison-like settlements. A larger number of communities were thus declared as criminal tribes
throughout the country. Once a community was declared criminal, every member of it, irrespective of the fact whether the
individual had committed any offence or not could be confined. Whereas an ordinary convict sent to jail had some limit to his
sentence, and some hope of final release, a member of a criminal tribe under the Criminal Tribes Act had none. Once he or she
was 'settled' it could be for life, rather for the posterity too. Such settled people were also used as captive labour by landlords
and industrial establishments in connivance with the police. After Independence, in 1952, the new Government repealed the
Criminal Tribes Act. All the erstwhile criminal tribes are henceforth known as Denotified communities or Vimukta jati.
The old settlements have grown into ghettos where outside light hardly penetrates. No educational or employment
opportunities worth mentioning are available to them. At the same time, there is ample scope to carry on crime and to get
deeper into it. Organised gangs and mafia, in collusion with police are eager to recruit them into their armies. As for the
communities which were not kept interned during the British regime, they still wander carrying out odd jobs which have
practically lost relevance in the present day world. Most of them are forced to wander into cities in search of livelihood which
is hard to find as they are not trusted by the public. Police make it more difficult by drawing a picture of dreaded criminals
about them. Avoided by public, harassed by police and ocassionally lynched by mobs, their existence is threatened from all
sides.
It is unthinkable that a section of people who are among the earliest occupants of this sub-continent and constituting about
6% of its population are forgotten, deprived of a dignified life and persecuted in the most inhuman manner even after half a
century of Independence. During the British period, though confined and used as captive labour, efforts were made to take
them away from crimes; but now, on the other hand, police and vested interests have kept them engaged in criminal activities
alone. The Governments both at the Centre and in the States have completely igonered their rights to live decently. Being
unorganised and not easily identifiable they seldom appear in the electoral rolls, and hence they do not attract the attention of
political parties. The NHRC is therefore the sole arbiter to help these communities to achieve justice and regain dignity among
training and practice, they continue to hold on to the old concept of branding the whole communities as born criminals. The
Action Group who have visited some of the surviving settlements have found that they still live a socially isolated life. Further,
the Habitual Offenders Acts which the States have passed almost immediately after the repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act, are
Recommendations :
1. A retired senior police officer of high reputation may be appointed in every state by the Commission to watch the cases
of atrocities against DNCs and to report them to the commission. Where there is a concentration or an old settlement
2. Since the police training is still faulty in this respect, the National Police Academy and other institutions imparting
3. NHRC may take the necessary steps leading to the repeal of the Habitual Offenders Act.
4. Survey has shown that some of the DNCs have since been included under Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and
Other Backward Classes, but several of them still continue in the general category. This means that while the DNCs are
the most discriminated among the discriminated, the facilities and reliefs available to the citizens of India are not
5. For any kind of affirmative action, the people should be properly identifiable and ascertainable. Since the DNCs are not
reflected separately in census or other classifications, ameliorative action also becomes difficult. It is recommended that
the Central/State Governments may be directed to make a proper enumeration of the DNCs.To establish a special cell in
the Ministry of Social Justice for undertaking preparation of a fresh and accurate list of Denotified Communities, so that
directions can be given to the Census of India to take up the survey more comprehensively in the year 2001.
6. The DNCs have virtually no access to any kind of resources. They have no land or other vocational skills to bank on,
except a few who have been pursuing the work of stone cutters, blacksmiths etc. Whatever skill they had, they were
forced to give it up during the period of persecution. Ameliorative action could be on the following lines :
c. Mapping of priority areas. Settlements which are still in existence may be considered for taking up pilot programmes.
d. DNCs may be encouraged to form their own associations to manage the schemes.
e. Establishment of Co-operative Societies where the communities have their traditional skills or professions.
f. State governments may be asked to work out action plans for DNCs with specific provisions in the plans. The planning
commission may be advised in this regard. Special care needs to be taken to make sure that the schemes drawn for the
purpose do really reach the target beneficiaries. Since the notification of criminal tribes was done district/area-wise in
the past, a situation exists where a community is 'criminal' in one district and not so in others. There is, therefore, a
possibility of the schemes being hijacked by others for whom they are not meant.
7. A new and more specific Atrocities Legislation pertaining to the DNCs should be drafted and presented to the
8. To launch a massive information campaign aimed at bringing about change in the general attitude towards the DNCs.
B. D. Sharma P. Satchidanandan
Laxman Gaikwa
2-1-99
Please find enclosed 4 pages containing the exact order from Justice Shri M.N.Venkatachaliah,
Chairperson, Nationa Human Rights Commission, in the case of custodial death of Pinya Hari Kale, a
Denotified Tribal from Baramati, Maharashtra. It is after a long struggle by the DNT Rights Action Group
that for the first time the NHRC has issued an order giving proper compensation in such a case. I grately
appreciate your help and support in this struggle. The compensation given is only an interim relief, and it
will be necessary to press for the final relief in the court. I have written accordingly to Advocate Mihir
Desai of Bombay. I am also getting in touch with Chief Secretary, Maharashtra State. Please advise me if
any further action is necessary.
Yours sincerely,
G.N.Devy
26 December 1998
The following resolution was passed unanimously at the Gujarat Denotified & Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) -
Annual Convention held on 26 December 1998 in Baroda. A copy of this resolution is being forwarded to
you to present it before the Gujarat Government, Central Government and the Social Welfare Ministries of
various states :-
1. In order to determine the future of the Gujarat DNTs, for their progress and social security, it is
essential to form an independent category for them. At present, they are scattered among the Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes, and should be brought under one single category -
'The Denotified & Nomadic Tribes'.
2. At present, the DNTs are suffering from economic backwardness, lack of educational opportunities
and social injustice. For the all-round progress of the DNTs, it is essential to provide primary education,
career-oriented education and guidance, subsidised loans for business, as well as land for building their
houses.
3. Especially the DNTs are considered to be 'criminals' by the police and the rest of the society. This
attitude needs to be changed through awakening people by an extensive use of various mass media.
4. It is necessary that the government starts at least five vocational educational institutions, arrange
subsidies and grants and train the DNTs for 6 to12 months to eradicate unemployment among them and
help the educated and uneducated DNT women and men.
5. In the areas where agricultural land is not available, the government should provide waste/kharaba
or grazing land for 10 to 15 years for cultivation to DNTs.
6. The eminent writer Professor Kanji Patel, is unanimously elected as the Convenor of the Gujarat
unit of the All-India DNT-Rights Action Group (DNT-RAG).
7. The Gujarat unit is hereby authorised by the All-India DNT-RAG to negotiate with the government in
the interests of the DNTs.
16 January 1999
Chief Secretary
Government of Maharashtra
Secretariate
Nariman Point
Bombay-400 021
Sir,
I have been elected by the National Human Rights Commission, Law Division, New
Delhi by letter dated 24.12.1998, copy of which has been sent to you directly, to discuss with you
the matter of compensation to be paid to the widow of Pinya Hari Kale, who died in police
custody on 08.06.1998, at Baramati, District Pune, Maharashtra State.
In this regard kindly give me an appointment on 27th/28th January 1999 (days on which
I plan to be in Bombay) so that I can meet you and finalise the arrangements to be made
regarding the investment of the compensation amount of Rs. 1,75,000/- which will be paid by the
State of Maharashtra.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. G. N. Devy)
Secretary
Denotified and Nomadic Tribes Action Group
Kindly refer to your letter No. 213/6/98-99 dated 26.10.1998 regarding the arrest of Shri
Rasik Chhara under the provision of PASA Act on 21.08.1998.
In this matter I wish to state that there is no offence recorded against Rasik Chhara
immediately preceding his arrest and warranting the use of PASA, particularly since there was no
social disturbance in Ahmedabad leading to the breakdown of peace or law and order.
I agree that for offences recorded in police records involving Rasik Chhara, it is
necssary to take proper action under Law leading to prosecution.
Please note that he has not been convicted of offences ascribed to him by the police
from time to time.
Rasik Chhara's case is a classic instant of how even a person with an L.L.B. degree but
belonging to a Denotified Community can become a victim of history and get criminalised. Your
intervention therefore in the matter will be of atmost importance. He has already spent five
months in jail. If you think it fit, kindly order the State of Gujarat to release him.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
(G.N. Devy)
20.01.99
Kindly refer to your fax letter 468/13/98-99 dated 06..01.99 regarding custodial death of
Ramesh Shankar Kale and Prabhu Laxman Kale.
In this regard I wish to draw your attention to the report received from the Home
Department, Government of Maharashtra cited by you. The report is silent on the death of
Ramesh Kale. It mearly states that Prabhu Laxman Kale is still alive. We do not contest the fact
that Prabhu Kale is alive. In fact, we are grateful to the Maharashtra Police that Prabhu Kale is
still alive.
However, it is a fact that Ramesh Kale died in police custody. I enclose newspaper
reports from three Marathi dailies, one of which shows the District Collector in a photograph and
his statement to the effect that Ramesh Kale died in custody, is also included. Moreover, a three-
year old girl child also died in the panic caused at the time of Ramesh Kale's arrest. The picture
of her grave is also carried in the newspaper reports.
In my earlier complaint I had requested for appropriate punishment to the police officer
responsible for Ramesh Kale's death. I wish to now add that the police authorities should also be
held responsible for presenting to the NHRC a misleading statement. With the request for
appropriate action,
Yours faithfully
(G. N. Devy)
Encl. : As above
22-1-99
To
The Director
Bhanwar
Sony Television
Mumbai
Sir,
I write to you on behalf of the Denotified & Nomadic Tribals Rights Action Group, Baroda.
The group is headed by the eminent Magssasay award winner Smt. Mahasveta Devi & Sahitya
Akademi Award Winner Shri Laxman Gaikwad & G.N.Devy.
As your serial BHANWAR deals with real life court cases, we would surely have something to
interest you. Our group works for the atrocities committed against innocent tribals by the police generally,
and other people in power.
For your information I am enclosing herewith three issues of of the Newsletter Budhan which is
named after Budhan Sabar, a Tribal killed in police custody.
It is a matter of grave concern that these atrocities are commited on a daily basis. It would be a
great service to the neglected communities if the wrongs committed on them reach out to a large number of
concerned people through the media.
You can write to us at our Baroda Office at 6, United Avenue, Near Dinesh Mill, Baroda
390 007.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
(Manju Ramanan)
DNT/99/2
04/02/99
Respected Sir,
The Denotified & Nomadic Tribals Rights Action Group (DNT-RAG) has organised a
cultural 'mela' at Kaleshwari Naal on the Lunawada-Modasa Road on the 14th February, 1999
from 9.a.m. onwards. Members of the Nat, Turi, Madari, Bajania, Wodder etc. comunities will be
displaying their skills. Around 5,000 to 10,000 people are expected to gather for this event.
We extend a heart-felt invitation to you to be present for this festive occassion. It will
boost the morale of the people. Further details could be had from one of our organisers Professor
Kanji Patel, 12, Gayatri Society, Lunawada-389 230 (Tel. No. :- 02674-20788).
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. G. N. Devy
DNT/99/12
25-02-99
Superintendent
Baroda Central Prison
Baroda
Sir,
I seek to request you in my capacity as the National Secretary of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes -
Rights Action Group, to consider granting leave on parole to Shri Arjun Rama Shitode for a period of
1) The wife of Shri Arjun Rama Shitode has not been keeping well and suffers from intermittent
fever.
2) His daughter is of marriageable age as per the customs of the community and needs attention in
this regard.
3) The family has to move to another house as the present house at Mujmahuda is in a very bad
condition.
All these above matters require attention of Shri Arjun Rama Shitode who is the only adult male
member in the family. I have known the family for some years. I have been working with the Deore
Gosai community in Baroda. I am prepared to take personal responsibility for good conduct of Shri
Arjun Rama Shitode when he is on leave on parole. On humanitarian grounds this request may be
granted.
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
DNT/99/18
11-03-99
Shri B. Laxmana
Branch Manager
State Bank of India
Baramati Branch - 413 102
Sir,
B) The deceased Pinya Hari Kale has left behind him the following 7 dependents :
C) Shri Avinash Gaikwad of Baramati will present the 7 persons named above in
your branch as per your requirements.
Account I
Account II
Rs. 1,25,000/-
Other Conditions :
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Copy to : Police Inspector, In-charge, Baramati Police Station, Baramati, Dist. Pune.
DNT/99/19
13-03-99
Sir,
The Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group had taken up the case of
compensation for custodial death of Pinya Hari Kale of Baramati to be paid to his
Commission in this matter and the NHRC directed the Chief Secretary, Maharashtra
Government to offer interim relief to the widow and six children of the deceased,
Pinya Hari Kale.
I am grateful to you that the Social Defence Department too has agreed to offer an
amount of Rs. 2,00,000/- as compensation as per the provisions of the Maharashtra
State Government. I am writing to you to request that the amount of compensation to
be paid may be invested in the State Bank of India in the following manner :
Amounts :
Account I
Account II
Rs. 1,50,000/-
Other Conditions :
2. The deposits can be withdrawn at the end of the term after obtaining a
letter of consent from Shri Laxman Gaikwad, Mumbai OR Shri
Avinash Gaikwad, Pune.
Shri Avinash Gaekwad of Baramati will present the 7 persons named above before
the Manager, State Bank of India and also work subsequently as Administrator for
the 2 Accounts.
I hope in the interest of the dependents of Pinya Hari Kale you will agree to make the
above arrangements.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Shri C. P. Singh
Director General of Police
Gujarat State
Ahmedabad
I am grateful that you so kindly ageed to give me the time to meet you today to
discuss the issue of the Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of Gujarat. I send this fax to
confirm that I will arrive in your office by 03.00 p.m.. I have requested Smt. Mallika
Sarabhai and Shri Ratan Kodekar who are involved in our activity related to the
DNTs to accompany me. They have agreed to do so.
Till some years back I used to teach at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
as a Professor of English, and was occupied in writing literary books (one of which
was given the Sahitya Akademi Award). However, since 1996 I have been working
voluntarily with the tribal, nomadic and denotified communities. The Denotified and
Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group is active in various States of India under the
guidance of Smt. Mahasweta Devi. I work as the national secretary of the DNT-
RAG. We publish Budhan, copies of which I will bring with me for your perusal. We
have established community develpment centres, artists co-operatives and
non-formal schools for the DNTs at a number of places.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/99/17
29-04-99
You may recall that last year Smt. Mahasveta Devi and I met you in your
office to discuss problems pertaining to Denotified & Nomadic Tribes. You
were kind enough to convene a special meeting of officers in the Ministry to
consider the situation of Denotified & Nomadic Tribals. The meeting was
held on 25th May 1998. During this meeting we were advised to prepare
specific project proposals and to submit them by 29th May 1998.
Accordingly, we submitted 2 proposals, one for a project in West Bengal
and another for a project in Gujarat. Both proposals were duly endorsed by
the respective State Governments. However, we have not recieved any
response from your office regarding these proposals so far.
With regards.
Yours sincerely,
G N Devy
Shri P Satchidanandan
80C Pocket A, Sukhdev Vihar
New Delhi 110 025.
DNT/99/18
31-03-99
During the last few months, we brought to the notice of the NHRC, several
atrocity cases involving denotified tribals in Maharashtra. You have helped us
tremendously by examining these complaints so quickly. Your judgement in
the case of Pinya Hari Kale's death came as a ray of hope to the Pardhi
community in Maharashtra.
I write today with sadness in my heart to say that not very far from Baramati,
some days back, a Vanjara boy of 22 years of age was maimed to death. The
name is Ravindra Prahlad Vanve, time 10.30 p.m., date 14 March 1999,
location Lakdi Road, Baramati, Police Station, Indapur. Ravindra belonged to
Vanjara community, a nomadic by tradition. The people who killed him
formed an anonymous group.
The police may, perhaps, take some action. They may not, perhaps. The
question is whether the DNTs of India can be given some relief by bringing
about a systemic change. Youy have given us a patient hearing over the last
year, offered us an opportunity to prepare a comprehensive report and have
accepted our recommendations. This is really a tremendous help. We need
some more help, Sir. Could you please give me and Shri Anand of
our Action Group time to come and see you to discuss further steps in this
matter? I will be deeply grateful if you agree to give him an appointment as
soon as possible. Shri Anand's Delhi telephone number is 6828959. Kindly
inform Shri Anand of the time and date, for which I will be thankful.
Yours faithfully,
G N Devy
DNT/99/19
08-04-99
Let me say once again that I am really grateful for your sparing time for our
discussion regarding the proposed seminar on Denotified & Nomadic Tribes.
Please find enclosed a copy of the outline of the proposed seminar sent to National
Human Rights Commission. My visit to Delhi has to be deferred by one week. As
soon as I return from Delhi on 17th April, I will inform you of the NHRC's view in
the matter.
Yours sincerely,
G N Devy
DNT/99/22
08-04-99
During the last year we have received a number of reports regarding attacks on
Denotified & Nomadic Tribals in Maharashtra. It is sad and surprising that even after
your Government has established an independent Ministry for the DNTs and a
National Human Rights Commission and as several times pointed to the high scale of
atrocities, the situation has not improved so far.
We have received a report from Shri Bhaskar Gautam Wanve about a brutal killing of
Ravindra Prahlad Wanve in Baramati Taluka on 14th March 1999. The deceased
belonged to Vanjara community. The family of the deceased feel that the police is not
doing enough to bring the culprits to book. I will appreciate if you take personal
interest in this case and do justice to the family of the victim. I will be grateful if you
inform us regarding the action taken in the matter.
Yours faithfully,
G N Devy
13-04-99
The Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group publishes a bi-monthly
magazine, Budhan. The magazine has subscribers in various states all over India. In
order to gain permission from the Postal Department to allow us to send the
magazine at a subsidised rate, we require to register the name of the magazine-
Budhan - and to issue a declaration for the same. For this purpose, we request you
to give us the necessary forms.
In case this proforma is not available kindly grant us the endorsement for registering
the magazine. After getting the endorsement from you, DNT-RAG would be issuing
the registration forms to the Registrar of Publication, Government of India.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
G N Devy
DNT/99/24
20-04-99
Sir,
I am grateful to you for forwarding to me a copy of the police report received from
Home Secretary, Government of Maharashtra regarding the custodial death of
Ramesh Shankar Kale on 27-06-1998.
In this connection I wish to draw your attention that according to the police report
Ramesh Kale was certified dead on 30-06-1998. I sent a complaint to your office on
07-07-1998 after getting the news of police atrocity. I received the communication
from your office on 06-01-1999 giving a gist of submission by the Home
Department, Government of Maharashtra. In that communication, the particulars
given were pertaining to Prabhu Laxman Kale, who was arrested with Ramesh
Shankar Kale. The name of Ramesh Shankar Kale, too, was mentioned as a 'co-
accused' of Prabhu Laxman Kale. The communication states that Prabhu Laxman
Kale 'is staying with his family members', and "Allegations regarding his killing in
police custody are false," is the conclusion.
This statement is a deliberate twisting of facts, as is clear from the submission made
by Home Secretary, Maharashtra Government, a gist of which was sent to me on 09-
04-1999 by your office.
The recent submission from Maharashtra Government states that "10 policemen were
arrested. The Magisterial enquiry has been initiated by the District Magistrate which
is still under progress". The case was registered on 26-07-1998. But the Home
Department does not seem to be aware of this fact for several months as your
communication of 06-01-1999 may clearly indicate.
I would like to reiterate that not only be a compensation of Rs. 7,00,000/- (Rs. Seven
lakhs) be paid to the widow and dependents of Ramesh Shankar Kale, but also the
Home Secretary, Government of Maharashtra be clearly be reprimanded for
deliberate twisting of facts and misguiding the National Human Rights Commission
in a case of brutal violation of a poor denotified tribal's human rights. Sir, we have
been receiving complaints from Mangalveda and Baramati area of Maharashtra
regarding police atrocity so frequently that it is difficult to believe that the police in
that area are protectors of Law and Order. I make this statement as a serious
comment on the working of police and I am prepared to provide sufficient evidence
to support it. I hope the National Human Rights Commission will take a serious view
of the situation while hearing this case.
Yours faithfully,
G N Devy
DNT/99/25
23-04-99
Justice Venkatachaliah
Chairman
National Human Rights Commission
Sardar Patel Bhavan
Sansad Marg
New Delhi - 110 001
Last year in the month of May, a family of Pardhis residing at Taradgaon near Lonand
under Lonand Police Station, District Satara of Maharashtra State, was assaulted by the
upper caste residents of the village. The house of this family was burnt to ashes and the
family was threatened with dire consequences if they tried to report to the police about
the incident of arson and assault. The Denotified & Nomadic Tribals Rights Group made
special efforts to alert the Police Department at Lonand to the the plight of the
endangered family. Smt. Mahasveta Devi and I had personally gone to Lonand
Police Station to request protection to the family in the first week of June 1998.
Smt. Chhaya Salya Bhosle who belongs to this family, and whose photographs are
enclosed with this appeal, was severely beaten up on 1st April 1999. She is being
threatened by the people in the village. The police ought to have registered the case
of assault as a cognizable offence and also initiated the procedure to make provision of
compensation under the Prevention of Atrocities Act. Unfortunately nothing of the
kind has happened. Smt. Chhaya Salya Bhosle belongs to the Pardhi community, which is
a denotified community. I have a strong feeling that the repeated assaults are
mounted in order to snatch away the small piece of land that the family owns.
Sir, I request you to kindly seek an information report from the Maharashtra Police about
the steps taken to protect the life and property of Smt. Chhaya Salya Bhosle and to punish
the offenders. The increasing incidence of atrocity on the DNTs of Maharashtra make me
feel sad. Please help us in bringing justice to the unfortunate victims by taking
immediate action in this matter.
With regards.
Yours faithfully,
G N Devy
Shri P Satchidanandan
80C Pocket A, Sukhdev Vihar
New Delhi 110 025.
DNT/99/29
27-04-99
Yours sincerely,
G N Devy
Encl. : As above
2-10-98
Mr. N. Gopalaswami
Secretary General
National Human Rights Commission
Sardar Patel Bhavan
Sansad Marg
New Delhi 110 001
Thank you very much for your fax letter of 28 September. It will indeed be very useful to
seek the views of governmental authorities and a cross-section of the
society regarding the place of the Denotified tribes in our country. I submit the
following points for the Commission's consideration apropos the suggestion of holding a
Seminar on Denotified Tribes :
1. The title of the Seminar could be "The Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of
India : Rights, Reforms and Rehabilitation".
4. Budget :
I suggest the following approximate budget :
Mr. N. Gopalaswami
Secretary General
National Human Rights Commission
Sardar Patel Bhavan
Sansad Marg
New Delhi 110 001
Thank you very much for your fax letter of 28 September. It will indeed be very useful to
seek the views of governmental authorities and a cross-section of the
society regarding the place of the Denotified tribes in our country. I submit the
following points for the Commission's consideration apropos the suggestion of holding a
Seminar on Denotified Tribes :
1. The title of the Seminar could be "The Denotified and Nomadic Tribes of
India : Rights, Reforms and Rehabilitation".
4. Budget :
I suggest the following approximate budget :
5. Participants :
1. Minister for Home Affairs, Central Govt. or an officer deputed by him.
2. Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Central Govt. or an officer deputed
3. Director, Police Training Academy, Hyderabad or an officer deputed
4. Director General of Police, any two states where the DNTs number over 50
lakhs (i.e.Maharashtra, Gujarat, M.P., Karnataka)
5. As above.
6. Two retired high court Judges dealing with PASA cases from the remaining
two states.
7. As above.
8. A legal expert familiar with the history of Criminal Tribes Acts.
9. Two Investigative TV journalists
10. As above
11. Three Editors of prominent news paper, North east, South
12. As above
13. As above
14. Five Representatives of DNT-RAG.
15. As above
16. As above
17. As above
18. As above
19. As above
20. Three Directors of Tribal Welfare Boards or Secretaries of Social Welfare
Departments from three states.
21. As above
22. As above
23. Two Representative of the Social Justice Ministry - dealing wht DNT cell
24. As above
25. Chief Election Commissioner or an officer deputed by him
26. Registrar General, Indian Census or an officer deputed by him
27. Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
28. Secretary General, NHRC,
29. Three Heads of the NHRC State cells.
30. As above
31. As above
32. Three leaders, activists of Denotified Tribes
33. As above
34. As above
35. Six prominent citizens including Parliamentarians, artists, writers, film
makers, etc.
36. As above
37. As above
38. As above
39. As above
40. As above.
In addition to the above, there should be provision for about 20-30 local
personalities to attend the Seminar as observers :
6. Procedure :
The Seminar should be divided in six sessions :
Session One : Inaugural speech by the Chairman of the NHRC
and
a key-note presentation by a representative of the DNT-RAG.
Session Two : The Law and the DNTs.
Four Presentations
I will be grateful if you let me have your response to these suggestions. It may
be useful for us to meet to finalise the plans. And I will be glad to make a short
visit to Delhi if you so suggest.
Yours sincerely,
(G.N.Devy)
28.01.1999
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Encl. : as above
28.01.99
I received a letter from Tanuja Deepak Pawar dated 2nd. Nov. 1998 which
was a copy of her letter to Shri Gopinath Munde, Deputy Chief Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs, Maharashtra State. The letter mentioned that a copy
was being forwarded to Your Honour. However, on recent enquiries, I was told
that the letter was not sent to him. Therefore, though late, I forward the letter
herewith.
The original letter was in Marathi. We have translated it into English,
sentence by sentence and without editing it in any manner. It was published in
Budhan (Oct-Nov 1998 on pages 24-27). In lieu of a typed text, I enclose a copy
of Budhan, which may be treated as the said letter.
Tanuja Deepak Pawar, who lives by begging that Malshiras, in District
Solapur, Maharashtra. She lost her husband through police atrocity. He was shot
in the back and died. He belongs to the Pardhi Denotified Tribe. In order to
conceal the horror of this inhuman killing, the police have concocted a story
about Deepak Pawar being a dacoit on the run. Tanuja is not even twenty years
old. She has a whole life of begging before her. Added to it now is the risk of
being physically abused. Kindly direct the Government of Maharashtra to
provide immediate interim relief of at least Rs. 5,00,000/- for which I will be
extremely grateful.
With regards.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
20-04-99
Sir,
I am grateful to you for forwarding to me a copy of the police report received from
Home Secretary, Government of Maharashtra regarding the custodial death of
Ramesh Shankar Kale on 27-06-1998.
In this connection I wish to draw your attention that according to the police report
Ramesh Kale was certified dead on 30-06-1998. I sent a complaint to your office on
07-07-1998 after getting the news of police atrocity. I received the communication
from your office on 06-01-1999 giving a gist of submission by the Home
Department, Government of Maharashtra. In that communication, the particulars
given were pertaining to Prabhu Laxman Kale, who was arrested with Ramesh
Shankar Kale. The name of Ramesh Shankar Kale, too, was mentioned as a 'co-
accused' of Prabhu Laxman Kale. The communication states that Prabhu Laxman
Kale 'is staying with his family members', and "Allegations regarding his killing in
police custody are false," is the conclusion.
This statement is a deliberate twisting of facts, as is clear from the submission made
by Home Secretary, Maharashtra Government, a gist of which was sent to me on 09-
04-1999 by your office.
The recent submission from Maharashtra Government states that "10 policemen were
arrested. The Magisterial enquiry has been initiated by the District Magistrate which
is still under progress". The case was registered on 26-07-1998. But the Home
Department does not seem to be aware of this fact for several months as your
communication of 06-01-1999 may clearly indicate.
I would like to reiterate that not only be a compensation of Rs. 7,00,000/- (Rs. Seven
lakhs) be paid to the widow and dependents of Ramesh Shankar Kale, but also the
Home Secretary, Government of Maharashtra be clearly be reprimanded for
deliberate twisting of facts and misguiding the National Human Rights Commission
in a case of brutal violation of a poor denotified tribal's human rights. Sir, we have
been receiving complaints from Mangalveda and Baramati area of Maharashtra
regarding police atrocity so frequently that it is difficult to believe that the police
in that area are protectors of Law and Order. I make this statement as a serious
comment on the working of police and I am prepared to provide sufficient evidence
to support it. I hope the National Human Rights Commission will take a serious view
of the situation while hearing this case.
Yours faithfully,
G N Devy
2-10-98
Mr. N. Gopalaswami
Secretary General
National Human Rights Commission
Sardar Patel Bhavan
Sansad Marg
New Delhi 110 001
28.01.1999
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Encl. : as above
28.01.99
I received a letter from Tanuja Deepak Pawar dated 2nd. Nov. 1998 which
was a copy of her letter to Shri Gopinath Munde, Deputy Chief Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs, Maharashtra State. The letter mentioned that a copy
was being forwarded to Your Honour. However, on recent enquiries, I was told
that the letter was not sent to him. Therefore, though late, I forward the letter
herewith.
The original letter was in Marathi. We have translated it into English,
sentence by sentence and without editing it in any manner. It was published in
Budhan (Oct-Nov 1998 on pages 24-27). In lieu of a typed text, I enclose a copy
of Budhan, which may be treated as the said letter.
Tanuja Deepak Pawar, who lives by begging that Malshiras, in District
Solapur, Maharashtra. She lost her husband through police atrocity. He was shot
in the back and died. He belongs to the Pardhi Denotified Tribe. In order to
conceal the horror of this inhuman killing, the police have concocted a story
about Deepak Pawar being a dacoit on the run. Tanuja is not even twenty years
old. She has a whole life of begging before her. Added to it now is the risk of
being physically abused. Kindly direct the Government of Maharashtra to
provide immediate interim relief of at least Rs. 5,00,000/- for which I will be
extremely grateful.
With regards.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Sir,
The Chhara youth often find a discriminatory and prejudiced attitude while
seeking admissions as they are branded as 'thieves' and 'criminals'. We are
trying to help them. Three young Chhara boys have applied for admission.
May we request you to consider them on merit.
They are part of a drama troupe, being excellent actors and Himanshu is also
a sports person.
We write this on behalf of Dr. Devy who has initiated a library in the
Chharanagar slum Considering their admission sympathetically will go a
long way in bringing about a positive change in their lives.
Thanking you,
Geeta Chauhan
DNT/99/
19-7-99
Our group is working for the denotified and nomadic communities. The
approximate population of these communities in India is 6 crores. They are extremely
poor and due to their special history are deprived of even the basic necessities of life. As
suggested by Dr. P.K.Das, former Secretary, Social Welfare Department, we had held a
meeting of the Social Welfare Department and the Denotified and Nomadic Tribes Rights
Action Group in Godhra on 22 April, 1999. As a result we have received 133 applications
from Panchmahals. The applicants have no place to stay and have to keep moving from
one village to another. Since the Social Welfare Department has taken keen interest, we
request you to take necessary steps to help them. Please let us know if you need us to
assist the administration and kindly inform us what steps have been taken in this regard.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
G.N.Devy
11-08-1999
I will be grateful if you would draw the attention of Honourable Justice Venkatachaliah to
the fact that my request for further information regarding the NHRC's proposed seminar
on DNTs, sent to the Secretary General on 27th April, has remained unanswered. I will
very much appreciate if the necessary action in the matter is expedited.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
G.N.Devy
16-09-98
You are aware that the category of people designated as 'Denotified & Nomadic
Tribes' was created by the Constitution in 1952 in order to free the communities covered
by the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 during the colonial times. Many of these communities
are nomadic in character and they have been moving across state frontiers. One such
community is Davre-Gosai, which originally belongs to Maharashtra. Some of the Davre-
Gosai people have settled in Gujarat at Ahmedabad, Baroda and other places. They need
to be given a proper caste-certificate. However, in Baroda they have been denied it. A
proper certificate will help us to rehabilitate these people and to bring them to the main-
stream. I am approaching you with the request to instruct the social welfare department to
issue the necessary certificate and oblige. I am enclosing a list of all Davre-Gosai
residents of Baroda for your perusal. I will be grateful for this help.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
(G.N. Devy)
National Seminar on
The Social Identity of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes
27-28th October 1999
A large number of itinerant communities were 'notified' during the colonial rule and
brought under the draconian provisions of the Criminal Tribes Act, initially formulated in
1871 and continuosly revised till 1921. The Denotification that followed India's
Independence in 1952, has not effected any substantial change in the social identity of the
communities, though their legal status has now changed to the DNTs (Denotified &
Nomadic Tribes). The atrocities perpetrated on them by the surrounding communities,
mainly in the rural areas, but also and often in the cities, as well as the irregularities in the
official use of the Habitual Offender's Act, specially made for them, continue to
increase in number and variety.
Sociologists, anthropologists, legal experts and human rights activists in India have only
exceptionally paid attention to the problem of the cultural identity of the Denotified
Communities and their human rights. These communities now are distributed among
the constitutional categories of SC, ST and OBC variously in different states.
The National Human Rights Commission had appointed last year a Special Group to draw
up a list of measures for bringing about a change in the social status of the DNTs. A copy
of that report is enclosed. Moreover, it is necessary to discuss the issues involved more
closely by bringing about various perspectives including that of administration, activists,
scholars and thinkers. It is with this view in mind that Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav
Sangrahalaya, Bhopal, and the Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group have
decided to organise a National Seminar on the theme of the Social Identity of DNTs at
Bhopal on 27-28 October 1999. We would like to invite you to participate in this seminar
and make a presentation on the issue bringing in the statistics and data available with you,
your personal experience of dealing with the DNT issue and your perspective on how the
DNTs could be offered an opportunity to free themselves of the stigma attached to their
social origin and status. What we are seeking is not so much of academic and written
presentation, but a statement of well-informed concern and a vision plan.
The IGRMS will be glad to offer you your travel costs for journey for the seminar and
arrange for your accomodation from the 26th to 28th October.
Dr. G. N. Devy, Secretary, DNT-RAG has agreed to work as the seminar Co-ordinator.
Should you need to have more details, you may contact him at : 6, United Avenue, Near
Dinesh Mill, Baroda 390 007 (Phone : 331130, 351487 (O) 314098 (R)). We will be
grateful if you let us have your consent to participate in the seminar at the earliest.
Yours sincerely,
K. K. Chakravarty
Director
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
DNT/99/
11.10.99
As you are well aware our State has a large number of Denotified and
Nomadic communities. In addition to the communities listed by the State
Government as vimukta ane vicharti janjati, there are other nomadic groups that
have altogether escaped official listing. The population of such communities may be
approximately 35 lakh. You are well aware that the peculiar history of notification
has made the situation of the DNTs a challenge for the machinery implementing
social welfare measures. I enclose for your perusal some issues of Budhan (not
Bhudan, please) and also to give an idea as to our involvement in the work related to
the DNTs.
Last year we had a series of meetings with Dr. P. K. Das while he was
handling the Social Welfare Department. My colleagues who met Dr. Das include
Smt. Mahasveta Devi, Shri Kanji Patel who is a well known Gujarati writer, advocate
Shri Ratan Kodekar and numerous representatives of Denotified Tribes' Committees.
We also had a Workshop with the District Social Welfare Office at Godhra, and we
have been in touch with District Welfare Officers elsewhere. During these meetings
we found that both the Legislation and the Administration of Gujarat State are far
more sympathetic to the DNTs than similar other agencies are in other states.
However, our reports from Taluka and District level workers show that there are
several bottlenecks in the implementation of widow pension schemes, funding for
house construction and scholarships for DNTs. Also, the listing will have to be
updated, particularly in the districts on the borders of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
and Maharashtra. With these things in view I and my colleagues would like to seek
an appointment and discusss some of these matters personally with you. The main
point we would like to discuss is the possibility of holding a State level meeting of
District Welfare Officers exclusively for the DNT welfare. We can perhaps bring
persons like Justice D. K. Basu of Calcutta, Prof. Romila Thapar, Smt. Mahasveta
Devi and others to brief to the District Officers regarding the history, the legal
aspects and social considerations of the DNTs. I hope you will consider this request
and suggest a suitable day (after 25th October).
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/99/
24.10.99
Sub. : Your letter dated 12.10.99 regarding arrest and detention of Shri
Rasik Thania Chhara
Sir,
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
DNT / 99 / 63
26.10.99
Last year, when we prepared a Report on the Status of Denotified and Nomadic
Communities, it was suggested by the NHRC that a National Seminar be held to
discuss and finalise the Report prepared by us. I am glad to say that the Indira
Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal has agreed to convene
such a seminar. Dr. K. K. Chakravarty, Director of IGRMS will be writing
personally to you to invite you for the Inaugural Address and I sincerely hope
that you will accept this invitation. In the meanwhile, may I request you to allow
us to discuss the Report during the proposed seminar ? I will indeed be grateful
for your consent.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
A large number of communities that resisted the expansion of the British rule and
the activities of European missionaries came to be listed as 'Criminal Communities'
throughout the nineteenth century. Most of these were nomadic tribal communities. A
special law was formed to bring them under the colonial subjugation; it is known as The
Criminal Tribes Act, 1871. Nearly 190 nomadic tribal communities were brought under
the draconian provisions of the CTA between 1871 and 1924. Special settlement areas
were created for their detention. In 1952, after Independence, the so-called criminal tribes
were made free from the settlements and provisions of the CTA. They were initially
treated as 'ex-criminal tribes', but since 1955, on a suggestion made by Jagjivan Ram,
they came to be called the 'Denotified & Nomadic Tribes'. Our estimate, based on various
census figures, is that their present population is approximately 6 crores. The DNT-RAG
has prepared a detail report on the basis of work carried out in Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Bengal and other states, for the development of the Denotified Tribes and bringing a
measure of social justice to them. I shall be grateful if you advise me as to whether the
Denotified Tribes fall within the preview of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and if we
should submit the report to you for your consideration. Please find enclosed copies of
Budhan which may give more information about the DNTs.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
I will be extremely grateful if you kindly look into the matter sympathetically.
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
DNT/99/
14.12.99
The Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group has been working with denotified
and nomadic communities. Last year the National Human Rights Commission had formed
a Working Group on our request to prepare a Report on the present status of the
Denotified and Nomadic communities. The Report was prepared and submitted to the
National Human Rights Commission in August 98. Since then there have been instances
of custodial deaths and mob lynching in which the victims were from the denotified
communities. The Human Rights Commission has of course provided prompt redressal in
the cases that we brought to the Commission's notice. However, it is necessary to think of
evolving a national policy, keeping the human rights angle in view, related to the
denotified and nomadic communities. Smt. Mahasveta Devi, who is the President of
DNT-RAG and I would like to seek an appointment with you to discuss the possibility of
setting up another Working Group towards this end. We plan to be in Delhi from the 19th
to 22nd of this month; and we will be grateful if you could spare some time for this
purpose. In case it is possible to fix an appointment, kindly let me have a message at
Baroda (0265 - 331130) or at Bhopal (IGRMS - Tel.- 0755-545458 till the 18th of
December).
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
DNT/99/
14.12.99
Your office may have already received my request for an appointment. I write
again with a deep sense of anguish to draw your attention to a gruesome massacre of
Pardhis at Baramati which took place on 29th November. In this incident police personnel
attacked innocent Pardhi persons during night and using sharp weapons killed them on
the spot. The name of the persons murdered by the police are :
The NHRC had delivered a judgement in the custodial death cause of Shri Pinya
Hari Kale in which the Police Department at Baramati was made to pay a compensation
of Rs. 2 lakh. It is clear that that the police are now seeking revenge for what they
consider as humiliation at the hands of the NHRC. I will be grateful if this case is handled
expeditiously so that more Pardhi lives are not lost.
Among other things that we would like to discuss with you, the Baramati
massacre will be an important issue. Kindly confirm if an appointment is possible.
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
INDIRA GANDHI RASHTRIYA MANAV SANGRAHALAYA, BHOPAL
National Seminar on
The Social Identity of Denotified & Nomadic Tribes
16-17th December 99
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal hosted a National Seminar on the
theme of The Social Identity of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes, jointly organised by
Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group and the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya
Manav Seminar. The seminar was held at Bhopal on 16-17th December 99. A list of
participants is enclosed (Enclosure 1). Those who participated included writers,
journalists, anthropologists, government officers, activists and representatives of
Denotified Communities from Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
and Delhi.
3. As the context for discussion, the text of the Report prepared by the Working Group on
the Status of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes, constituted by the National Human Rights
Commission in May 1998, was circulated among the participants.
"The NHRC had appointed a Special Group last year to draw up a list of measures for
bringing about a change in the social status of the DNTs. A copy of that Report is
enclosed and it awaits discussion. Moreover, it is necessary to discuss the issues
involved more closely by bringing to various perspectives including that of
administration, activists, scholars and thinkers. We would like the participants to make
presentations on the issue, bringing in the statistics and data available, their personal
experience of dealing with the DNT issue, and their perspective on how the DNTs could
be offered an opportunity to free themselves of the stigma attached to their social origin
and status. What is sought is not so much of an academic and written
presentation, but a statement of well-informed concern, a vision plan."
K. K. Chakravorty G. N. Devy
Director, IGRMS Director, BRPC
DNT/99/67
25.12.99
We are indeed grateful that you so readily gave your valuable time for listening to us on
20th December. In the past we had submitted a petition to the Human Rights Commission
seeking help for India's Denotified and Nomadic Tribals. The total number of Denotified
communities is, as far as we know, one hundred and ninety one, and their approximate
population, six crore. We have been told about innumerable cases of custodial deaths,
mob lynching and torture of members belonging to Denotified Communities, and the
Rights Action Group itself has handled many such cases. The National Human Rights
Commission has been extremely co-operative in getting justice to the widows of victims
and dependents of persons unnecessarily jailed.
In August 1998, we submitted a report prepard by the Advisory Group. After a series of
meetings for deliberations we were informed by a letter from Shri N. Gopalaswami,
Secretary General, dated 28th September 1998 that the Human Rights Commission had
decided to hold a National Seminar to seek a cross-section of opinion on the issue. I was
asked to send names of participants and the modalities of the seminar which I submitted
to the NHRC first by post on 2nd October 1998, and subsequently by hand on 2nd
November 1998. After waiting for several months for further information regarding the
seminar, we decided to accept the suggestion made by the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav
Sangrahalaya, Bhopal to hold a similar seminar on December 16-17, 1999. A list of
participants to the Bhopal Seminar is enclosed. The suggestions made by the participants
are also enclosed in a separate statement. Also enclosed are copies of our publication
Budhan which include :
We will be extremely grateful if you consider these prayers and initiate the necessary
action. We would also like to request you to give us one more hearing after you have gone
through the enclosed documents.
Yours faithfully,
Enclosures :
You may remember that last year Smt. Mahasveta Devi visited Jaipur for a programme
you had organised. During her visit, you had discussed the possibility of her second visit
to Jaipur, mainly for initiating work related to denotified tribal communities in Rajasthan.
That visit could not take place due to her illness. However, she has now decided to make
the visit in March 2000. I will accompany her, and so also will six other colleagues from
Delhi and other parts of India.
What we plan to do is to hold a meeting spread over two days. The aim of the meeting
will be to have an opportunity of discussing with some senior administrative officers and
police officers as also some NGOs the ways in which work related to denotified
communities can be initiated in Rajasthan. We depend on your help in this matter.
i. To decide on the invitees for the meeting and extend an invitation to those persons on
our behalf.
ii. To identify a suitable venue for the meeting.
iii.To find some reasonably priced accomodation for eight persons.
Please let me know if you would be able to spare time for this work. I will be extremely
grateful for a prompt reply.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
29.12.99
You may have already received our previous letter giving details of the meeting held at
the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal on the denotified communities.
In order to initiate the work related to rehabilitation and social upliftment of denotified
communities in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab- mainly the Kanjars and the Sansis- we
are planning to hold a two day open meeting in Jaipur in March 2000. The meeting will
be attended by a number of activists from other parts of India, NGOs in Rajasthan, senior
IAS officers and media persons. It will be jointly organised by the DNT-RAG and the
IGRMS, and our local host will be Shri Anil Vaish, IAS.
We would like to invite you to come for the meeting and preside over the Inaugural
Session. Dr. K.S. Singh, formerly of the Anthropological Survey of India, and an active
supporter of the DNT-RAG, will speak in the same session. We are also extending an
invitation to the Registrar of the Census of India. Your participation will assure the
Denotified Communities of our country that they have at least some hope of regaining
their human dignity in one country. I and Smt. Mahasveta Devi earnestly hope that you
will accept this invitation. I will be grateful to have your letter of acceptance at an early
date.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/99/
05.01.2000
Shri Shekhar Dutt, I.A.S.
Principal Secretary
Department of Tribal Welfare
Government of Madhya Pradesh
Vallabh Bhavan
Bhopal
e-mail : psedspyw@vallabh.mp.nic.in
It was indeed very nice to meet you at Bhopal and especially to hear you speak at the
IGRMS seminar at Bhopal. As the result of our campaign, the National Human Rights
Commission has agreed to convene a meeting of Chief Secretaries of various states,
where Smt. Mahasveta Devi and I will have to make a presentation regarding the
Denotified Communities. This meeting is likely to be held within a fortnight, and
definitely before 26th January.
It will help us enormously to have some accurate official information on the Provisions
made by Rajasthan Government for the social welfare of the Denotified Communities.
May I request you to kindly obtain this information and send it to me by fax (0265-
331130) / e-mail (bhasha@lwbdq.lwbbs.net) / speed post.
I do hope you will offer this help, for which I will indeed be very grateful.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/2000/
02.02.2000
Thank you very much for the message sent to me by fax regarding the convenience of
dates for attending the proposed meeting on Denotified & Nomadic Communities in
Jaipur, sent by fax today. Since I will be in Delhi to attend the meeting scheduled for 15th
February, I think it may be desirable for me to discuss in person with your office the dates
that may suit you. We will indeed be quite happy to change the dates for the Jaipur
meeting to suit your convenience. But I am extremely keen to have the benefit of your
presence during the meeting.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/2000/
02.02.2000
I hope you received the fax we sent regarding the proposed seminar on Denotified tribals
to be held at Shri Harish Chandra Mathur Regional Institute of Public Administration,
Jaipur on 10th & 11th March 2000. Since I was waiting for your response, I have not been
able to write to the participants extending a firm invitation.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
01.03.2000
Shri B. K. Bhattacharya
Chief Secretary
Secretariat
Karnataka
It was indeed a great pleasure to meet you at the National Human Rights
Commission meeting in Delhi on 15th March 2000.
You may have already received the Minutes of the Meeting. According to the
decision made with reference to recommendation No. 8, I have been advised to "Identify
locations and areas where a survey of socio-economic conditions would be undertaken
after Dr. Devy can identify locations and areas where a survey could be taken up in
association with the different State Governments". I will be grateful to you, therefore, if
you could kindly provide me a list of communities residing in your State and which were
notified during the British period (even if they are no longer specially designated as
Denotified Communities and have been merged in SC, ST or OBC). This information will
enable me to comply with the National Human Rights Commission's instructions. In case
your State Administration has any information about the exact location of Reformatory
Settlements in your State created under the Criminal Tribes Act 1871/1924, kindly send
the information to me.
Smt. Mahasveta Devi and I are planning to visit you personally in April this year
to discuss the Welfare Measures for the Communities under question. We will be indeed
grateful if you could indicate a day of your convenience to enable us to make our travel
plans.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
07.03.2000
You may recall that Smt. Mahasveta Devi spoke to you some days back regarding
a certain tribal community in Gujarat which is continuously harassed by police and is
living the life of destitution inspite of working very hard in many honest professions. The
name of the community is Waghri. They are denotified tribals and were at one time
notified by the British government as a criminal tribe. There are several other denotified
tribal communities in Gujarat. Their total population is thirty lac. I am enclosing a few
copies of the Budhan magazine (named after Budhan Sabar who died in Purulia police
custody for your reference. With Smt. Mahasveta Devi I am working towards tackling the
problems of denotified and nomadic tribes.
The Waghri community in Gujarat literally worships you and has a tremendous
admiration for your acting talents as well as social commitment. They have requested me
repeatedly to invite you to address to them. Similarly, the Chharas, the Vichparas,
Bajanias, Wadis and others are keen that you come for the meeting and address them.
All these years I restrained myself from disturbing you from knowing that you are
a busy person. But in recent days the situation in Gujarat has changed beyond remorse.
There are far too frequent attacks by the police on tribal communities. We are fighting a
really difficult battle for their dignity and self-respect. I shall be grateful if you could
spare one or two days to visit Gujarat and to speak to them. You can choose any date of
your convenience and let me know the date so that I can organise a State level meeting of
denotified communities.
By way of introduction, may I add that I am a literary person and used to be a
Professor at the Baroda University and have been working with tribals in the area of
education, human rights and culture.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/2000/
08.07.2000
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/2000/38
12.07.2000
Dr. S. C. Gosai
Chairperson
Other Backward Communities
Bungalow No. 228/A
Sector 19
Gandhinagar 382 019
You may recall that we have had some correspondence regarding the inclusion of the
Davre branch of Gosavis residing in Gujarat in the category of Scheduled Tribes. In this
connection you had written a detailed letter addressed to Smt. Mahasveta Devi (No.
AVP/8, dated 11-01-2000) asking for the details of the leaders of the community and the
list of names of persons of the community residing in Gujarat.
I would like to bring to your notice the recent Supreme Court judgement in the matter
which confers on all Gosavis the status of Scheduled Tribe. A copy of the Supreme Court
judgement is enclosed for your perusal.
In the light of the judgement, kindly do the necessary procedure so that the Gosavi
(Davre) community in Gujarat can get the necessary caste-certificate, and oblige.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
Secretary
31.07.2000.
In pursuance of the resolution passed during the Meeting held at the National Human
Rights Commission for social justice and welfare to Denotified Communities, we have
contacted representatives of different states who were present for the Meeting. Smt.
Satwant Reddy, I.A.S., Welfare Secretary, Punjab Government, has agreed to be in Delhi
on Wednesday, 2nd August. Smt. Mahasveta Devi, myself and the eminent writer from
denotified community, Shri Laxman Gaikwad will be meeting her. We would feel
extremely privileged if we could meet her in your presence. I sincerely apologise for
giving a very short notice. However, I do hope you will spare some time on the afternoon
of Wednesday to initiate and guide the series of Meetings that will begin with our meeting
with the representative of Punjab. Smt. Mahasveta Devi as well as Smt. Satwant Reddy
find 4.00 p.m. as the convenient hour. I do hope it suits you. However, we will be
prepared to make a suitable change as per your convenience. I will be grateful if you
accept our humble request.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/2000/
07.11.2000
In the month of March 2000, the National Human Rights Commission had convened a
Meeting under the Chairmanship of Honourable Justice J. S. Verma, which was attended
by Shri M. R. Patil on behalf of Government of Maharashtra as well as Chief Secretaries
of seven other States in which there is a sizeable population of denotified communities.
This meeting was convened on behest of Smt Mahasveta Devi who is the President of
Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group and has been working to rehabilitate
the denotified tribals of West Bengal over the last two decades. It was unanimously
resolved that the DNT-RAG does the follow up work in different States and meet the
Chief Secretaries for discussing welfare measures as well as the cases of violation of
human rights involving the denotified tribals. In this connection we wrote two letters to
you but received no reply. I was told that the Registrar General of the National Human
Rights Commission has had a conversation with you on telephone on this matter. He
informed us that we should personally meet you when Smt Mahasveta Devi visits
Bombay. However, on inquiring with your office we were told that you will not be
available in Bombay on the 9th of November, the day Smt Mahasveta Devi is passing
through Bombay. Therefore, we are sending this fax to draw your urgent attention to the
following facts :
2 The number of atrocity cases or the cases perceived as atrocity by the dues, is
alarmingly high in Maharashtra.
3. There are excellent social workers, some of whom are distinguished award winning
writers from the dues who are prepared to work for the welfare and rehabilitation of the
dues.
5. Considering all the above, kindly organise a meeting of senior social workers such as
Shri Laxman Gaikwad, Shri Atmaram Kaniram Rathod, Shri Ranjit Naik, Shri Avinash
Gaikwad, Dr. Ajay Dandekar and such others for initiating a joint action plan of
rehabilitation on the lines of the scheme mooted by Shri Ram Rajya Nimbalkar of
Phaltan.
6. Kindly also advise the Police Department to take immediate interest in the following
four atrocity cases involving Pardhi victims, all of which have been reported by Shri
Avinash Gaikwad of Baramati :
We will be grateful if you let us know the results or the findings of these cases which we
can report to the NHRC.
We would like to assure you that we will extend our fullest co-operation to any
Department handling the enquiry so that the wrong doers are punished and social justice
is met in keeping with the great tribal of social reform that Maharashtra has for its history.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
Copy to :
We, the residents of Sanjay Nagar, situated near Dinesh Mill, Vadodara 7, belonging to
the Sansi Community which is a Denotified Community, voluntarily form a Social
Reform Committee. The Committee will be known as Gujarat Sansi Kalyan Samiti. The
Samiti accepts affiliation with the All India Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action
Group, whose headquarters are situated at 6 United Avenue, Near Dinesh Mill, Vadodara
7.
Dear Ratan,
It has been a long time since I heard from you.Occasionally Dakshin, Sanjay and
Roxy speak to me on telephone. It is good to know that they are all working for
Mallikaben and are happy.
I hope someone from Chharranagar will do the follow up of our application to the
Social Welfare Department regarding the library space.
Please let me know if any progress is made in that direction. A lot of time and
energy has been spent by yourself and our colleagues in creating atleast some movement
in Chharanagar.We must not let the movement die. Please therefore do your best to revive
it.
I am interested in finding out if our library is still functioning, whether any
arrangement for the Librarian's salary is made and if students are asking for books of any
particular kind.If I know these things some arrangements can be made.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
Shri P. M. A. Hakim
Principal Secretary, Govt. of Maharashtra
Tribal Development Department
Higher & Technical Education Department
Mantralaya Annexe, 4th Floor
Mumbai
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/31
22.6.2000
With regards.
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/RAG/32
1.07.2000
To,
The Conservator of Forests
Eastern Division,
Nasik
Sir,
Our organistion works for the rights of Tribal and Denotified Communities.
Smt Mahashveta Devi is our President.
We have received a representation from the residents of the village
Pimpaldhar,Taluka- Baglan which falls within your jurisdiction regarding the
transfer and allotment of land No. 14-- 43/40/27/21. A list of 35 names containing
complete inventory of those who have been cultivating the above said land is enclosed.On
making enquiries with the Revenue Department, we were told that the necessary action
falls within your authority.
After inquiring the judiciousness and the propriety of the case, we are approaching
you with a request to facilitate the allotment and expedite the transfer of the land to those
included in the list. I do hope that you will take a sympathetic view of this request
Thanking You
Yours faithfully,
G.N. Devy
(Secretary, DNT RAG)
1.07.2000
To,
Shri Pathak,
The Assistant Collector and Sub Divisional Magistrate
Sub Divisional Magistrate Office,
Chhota Udepur
Sir,
There is a small component of Chamtha operation in Chota Udepur and nearby
talukas.The Chamthas are included in the list of the Denotified and Nomadic tribes
in the Stateof Gujarat
These people have been traditionally nomadic in habit and have engaged in the
work of rock masonary and rock crushing, and usually have kept donkeys as the beast of
burden.After the denotification in 1952, they have gradually started settling down.
However,since they don't own land their residential rights in the respective villages have
remained disputed.
It may be desirable to make a beginning towards the rehbilitation by issuing temporary or
permanent ration cards to them.
I enclose a copy of one such complaint to you.We keep receiving complaints like this
regularly.Please look into this matter. I hope you will take a sympthetic view view on the land
rights towards the Denotified and Nomadic communities and help them in getting their rights.
Thanking You
Yours faithfully,
G.N. Devy
(Secretary, DNT RAG)
DNT/RAG/32
1.07.2000
To,
The Conservator of Forests
Eastern Division,
Nasik
Sir,
Our organistion works for the rights of Tribal and Denotified Communities.
Smt Mahashveta Devi is our President.
We have received a representation from the residents of the village
Pimpaldhar,Taluka- Baglan which falls within your jurisdiction regarding the
transfer and allotment of land No. 14-- 43/40/27/21. A list of 35 names containing
complete inventory of those who have been cultivating the above said land is enclosed.On
making enquiries with the Revenue Department, we were told that the necessary action
falls within your authority.
After inquiring the judiciousness and the propriety of the case, we are approaching
you with a request to facilitate the allotment and expedite the transfer of the land to those
included in the list. I do hope that you will take a sympathetic view of this request
Thanking You
Yours faithfully,
G.N. Devy
(Secretary, DNT RAG)
Thanking You
Yours faithfully,
G.N. Devy
(Secretary, DNT RAG)
1.07.2000
To,
The Collector and District Magistrate
Magistrate Office, Sabarkantha
Himmatnagar
Sir,
Our orgnisation works for the welfare of theDenotified and Tribal communities
and Smt.Mahashveta Devi is our President.
Please look into this matter at the earliest. I hope you will take a sympthetic view on thie issue of
land rights and help Shri Chamtha Galbaji Chhaganji towards getting his rights.
Thanking You
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT/RAG/35
1.07.2000
To,
Shri Mansingh IAS
Principal Secretary
Department of Social Welfare
Government of Gujarat
Secretriat,Gandhinagar
Thankyou
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT/RAG/34
1.07.2000
To,
The Collector and District Magistrate
Magistrate Office, Sabarkantha
Himmatnagar
Sir,
Our orgnisation works for the welfare of theDenotified and Tribal communities
and Smt.Mahashveta Devi is our President.
Please look into this matter at the earliest. I hope you will take a sympthetic view on thie issue of
land rights and help Shri Chamtha Galbaji Chhaganji towards getting his rights.
Thanking You
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT/RAG/35
1.07.2000
To,
Shri Mansingh IAS
Principal Secretary
Department of Social Welfare
Government of Gujarat
Secretriat,Gandhinagar
Thankyou
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
Secretary
16.06.2000
Kindly refer to your letter dated 12th June addressed to Smt. Mahasweta Devi
regarding writing a Foreword to a proposed publication on denotified criminal
communities by Dr. Giriraj Shah, former Inspector General of Police.
In this regard I would like to inform you that Dr. Shah has already sent the text of
his Introduction to us with a similar request. After going through the text we found that
95% of the material in it is plagiarized from articles published in the magazine Budhan by
us. I am somewhat intrigued by the fact that when I spoke to him on telephone yesterday
Dr. Shah gave me the impression that he had not heard the name of the magazine at all.
Therefore, I tend to believe that someone else may have compiled the material for Dr.
Shah's benefit.
Besides, Dr. Shah has also attached a copy of the proceedings of a national-
level meeting at the National Human Rights Commission, Delhi (which contained an
extensive note prepared and signed by Smt. Mahasweta Devi and myself). I do not know
if that enclosure too is being included in the publication for which Dr. Shah claims
authorship.
Smt. Mahasweta Devi and I would indeed like to encourage any publication on
denotified communities, and we are prepared to overlook the author's dependence on the
sources easily available to him.
However, Smt. Mahasweta Devi will not consider the request for writing a
Foreword to Dr. Shah's work unless she is assured by him or you that it is not entirely
plagiarized.
It is indeed very interesting that an officer of IGP's rank is taking interest in the
work of social upliftment of communities wrongly stigmatised as criminals and thieves
and indeed it will be very great contribution to set examples of respectable writing for the
scholars of future generations who will work in this area.
I will be grateful if you can kindly reassure us that the proposed work is originally
written by Dr. Shah.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
copy to : Smt. Mahasweta Devi
To,
Honorable Justice M.N.Venkatachaliah
Chairman
Commission for Constitutional Review
Bangalore
3. In accordance with the guiding principles of the Constitution and in the nature
of social justice ,a specific Constitutional guarantee to the Denotified and Nomadic
Communities is requested.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
G.N. Devy
TO,
HONORABLE JUSTICE M.N. VENKATACHALIAH
CHAIRPERSON
COMMISSION FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW
BANGALORE
THANKING YOU
YOURS SINCERELY
G.N. DEVY
DNT/RAG/37
18 . 7 . 2000
Thankyou for your letter number 8-22/2000/1/13, dated 10 July 2000 asking us about
points of our agenda .
After discussing the matter with Shri Shekar Dutt, I would like to confirm that Tuesday
the 29th of August be decided as the date for the meeting. I and Mahashweta Devi plan to
arrive at Bhopal from Baroda on the 29th morning. I will be grateful if you could arrange
for our accomadation at the Bhopal circuit house, and kindly send to me the particulars of
accomadation. Smt Mahashweta Devi is advanced in age and keeps indifferent health.
therefore I will appreciate your kind gesture.
Dr. K.K. Chakravarty, Director - Musem of Man, Bhopal, had organized a useful seminar
on the DNT's last year in Bhopal.We will feel very pleased if he too is invited for this
meeting.
with regards
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
C.C. to Shri Shekar Dutt SM,( IAS), Principal Secretary, Dept. of Tribal Welfare,Govt. of
Madhya Pradesh, Vallabh Bhawan, Bhopal 462004.
DNT/RAG/38
18 . 7 . 2000
Thankyou for your letter dated 7.7.2000 ,number F . 2 (1) HHR / 2000, regarding the
meeting related to the Denotified tribes of Rajasthan.
I am writing to confirm that Smt. Mahashveta Devi and I will participate in the meeting.
We plan to arrive in Jaipur on the evening of 2nd August or early morning on the 3rd
from Delhi.I will be grateful if you could arrange for our accomadation at the Jaipur
Circuit House, and kindly send to me the exact particulars of the accomadation.
Smt. Mahashweta Devi is advanced in age and keeps indifferent health. Therefore, I will
appreciate your kind gesture.
As tentative agenda for discussion I enclose a copy of the minutes of the NHRC meeting
held in Delhi on 15th February, 2000.
With regards,
Yours sincerely
G. N. Devy
You are cordially invited to attend the
at 6.30 p.m.
Venue :
Mahavir Kasaratshala,
Near Water Tank, Kubernagar
Ahmedabad
Secretary, DNT-RAG
Shri K. V. S. Rao
Assistant to Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Sardar Patel Bhawan
Sansad Marg
New Delhi 110 001
We expect the following persons to reach the National Human Rights Commission office
tomorrow, i.e.Wednesday, 2nd August 2000 :
I) At 3.00 p.m. :
I am extremely grateful that you arranged for the Meeting at the NHRC. The Meeting is
scheduled at 4.00 p.m. However, our other colleagues will reach the office at
3.00 p.m. to discuss and decide the exact Agenda.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Honourable Justice J. S. Verma
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Sansad Bhavan
Sardar Patel Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
Yours sincerely,
Dear Shekharji,
I am truly sorry that the meeting scheduled for the 29th August will be required to be
postponed owing to Smt Mahasveta Devi's inability to travel to Bhopal this week.
However, we will both be in Bhopal to attend a seminar at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya
Manav Sangrahalaya on 3rd and 4th of October. And I will be most grateful if you
consent to schedule the meeting on the afternoon of the 3rd October. Kindly confirm if
this date suits you.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
DNT/2000/41
07.11.2000
In the month of March 2000, the National Human Rights Commission had convened a
Meeting under the Chairmanship of Honourable Justice J. S. Verma, which was attended
by Shri M. R. Patil on behalf of Government of Maharashtra as well as Chief Secretaries
of seven other States in which there is a sizeable population of denotified communities.
This meeting was convened on behest of the Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action
Group of which I am the President. It was unanimously resolved that the DNT-RAG does
the follow up work in different States and meet the Chief Secretaries for discussing
welfare measures as well as the cases of violation of human rights involving the
denotified tribals. In this connection we wrote two letters to you but received no reply. We
were told that the Registrar General of the National Human Rights Commission has had a
conversation with you on telephone on this matter. He informed us that we should
personally meet you when I visit Bombay. However, on inquiring with your office I was
told that you will not be available in Bombay on the 9th of November, the day I am
passing through Bombay. Therefore, we are sending this fax to draw your urgent attention
to the following facts :
2 The number of atrocity cases or the cases perceived as atrocity by the denotified
communities, is alarmingly high in Maharashtra.
3. There are excellent social workers, some of whom are distinguished award
winning writers from the denotified communities who are prepared to work for
the welfare and rehabilitation of these communities.
5. Considering all the above, kindly organise a meeting of senior social workers
such as Shri Laxman Gaikwad, Shri Atmaram Kaniram Rathod, Shri Ranjit Naik,
Shri Avinash Gaikwad, Dr. Ajay Dandekar and such others for initiating a joint action
plan of rehabilitation on the lines of the scheme mooted by Shri Ram Rajya
Nimbalkar of Faltan.
6. Kindly also advise the Police Department to take immediate interest in the
following four atrocity cases involving Pardhi victims, all of which have been
reported by Shri Avinash Gaikwad of Baramati :
We will be grateful if you let us know the results or the findings of these cases which we
can report to the NHRC.
We would like to assure you that we will extend our fullest co-operation to any
Department handling the enquiry so that the wrong doers are punished and social justice
is made in keeping with the great tradition of social reform that Maharashtra has for its
history.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Mahasveta Devi
Copy to :
25.11. 2000
Manager
State Bank of India
Baramati 413102
Sir,
With reference to our telephonic conversation regarding the investments made from the
compensation given by the Police Department to the heir of the deceased Shri Pinya Hari
Kale, and deposited with your branch, I would like to recommend in my capacity as
signatory and advisor to the two accounts, the following :
1. As Shri Vaijnath Pinya Kale is no more alive, the interest accruing on the amount
deposited in his name and held in Trust by the Bank, maybe remitted to
Smt Chandrasena Pinya Kale for the period as specified in '2'.
2. The period for which Smt Chandrasena Pinya Kale becomes the beneficiary be
restricted to the duration till Shri Vaijnath's immediate brother becomes legally
qualified to operate the account on attaining the stipulated age of 18.
Kindly take the necessary steps to enable the members of the family to avail the
compensation for the purpose for which it was paid.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
G. N. Devy
Secretary
DNT-RAG
DNT/2000/
08.12.2000
Dear Dr Shah,
Please refer to your letter dated 29.11.2000 regarding the Foreword of your proposed
volume. Smt Mahasveta Devi lives in Calcutta. Her address is 18 A Ballygunj Station
Road, Calcutta 700 019 and her telephone number is 4408777. In the past I have spoken
to you on telephone and subsequently I have written to your publishers. It is sad that your
publisher did not forward my letter to you or consult you on this matter. When your first
letter came with a typescript enclosed, we found that the material contained in it was
mostly plagiarised. The articles from which it was plagiarised have been published in the
Budhan magazine. When I spoke to you on telephone you stated that you were
completely unaware of the existence of such a magazine, which was surprising. After that
I wrote to your publisher asking if he was certain that the rest of the book too is not based
or borrowed materials. He wrote back promptly refuting the suggestion. Thereupon, we
published a section from the typescript, side by side with the original source of the
material in the Budhan issue of April-June & July-September 2000. I will feel highly
obliged if you prepare a statement explaining the miraculous similarity between what you
claim to be your writing and the identical piece published in Budhan (and prior to that in
The Times of India, Delhi), which looks in every word like its source. As editor of
Budhan, I think it is fair for me to give you an opportunity to make a statement in your
defence. I must add however, that I happen to be the author of the original piece. There
are other sections in your typescript which read identical with other texts produced by
other persons involved with the Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group.
Meanwhile, I am forwarding your recent dispatch to Smt Mahasveta Devi.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
16.12.2000
With reference to the letter from Shri S. C. Gosai, Secretary, Commission for Other
Backward Communities (dt 11.01.2000; No APV/8/1) in response to our letter (dated
24.12.1999; No DNT/99/66), regarding the inclusion of Gosai (Davri) community in the
list of Other Backward Communities, I humbly submit the following :
1. Shri Narayan Nana Segar, who is a highly respected social worker and cultural leader
of the Gosai Davri community, has prepared, as per your advice, a list of heads of
families belonging to the said community and residing in the State of Gujarat. Their list is
enclosed for your perusal.
2. The Social Welfare Department is familiar with the living conditions of this
community and we are requesting the District Social Welfare Officer to send their
comments on the matter for your consideration.
3. A recent Supreme Court Judgement in the case of the nomadic Gosai community in
Maharashtra to which the roots of Gosai (Davri) community can be traced historically,
has ruled that the said community be given the benefit of inclusion in the State list of
nomadic communities. A copy of the Judgement is enclosed for your information.
4. Considering all the above, I humbly request you to arrange for a hearing of the
Elderman of the community in your office or an inspection of their locality in Baroda,
Surat or Ahmedabad. We will be glad to be of assistance to you in this matter.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Copy to : Shri Narayan Nana Segar, Bhairav Nagar, Mujmahuda, Post Akota, Vadodara
DNT/2000/
04.01.2001
Shri C. D. Patel
Secretary
Office of the Commission for
Other Backward Communities
Bungalow No 228/A,'kh' Type
Sector - 19
Gandhinagar
Sub. : Regarding inclusion of Gosai (Davri) community in the State list of Other
Backward Classes
Ref : OBC/COM/FNo. 168/2000/1030
Kindly refer to your letter dated 21st December 2000 to Smt Mahasveta Devi, President
of DNT-RAG, which she has directed to me for the necessary action.
In this regard I would like to inform you that the particulars about Gosai (Davri)
community asked for by you were sent by post to the Commissioner, Other Backward
Communities on 16th December 2000. A copy of that communication is enclosed for your
perusal. We have received a reply from the Commission in response to this letter and an
on the spot inquiry is scheduled for the 29th of January at Baroda which may please be
noted.
Yours sincerely,
G. N. Devy
Dear
You know that almost all my life I have been fighting for the tribals. Bonded labour, tribal
land alienation, contractor's labour, tribal forest rights, tribals exposed to silicosis and
asbestosis hazard in Singbhoom, exploitation of tribal women in brickfields of West
Bengal. I have written reports, fought with the authority, did what I could. Then I fought
for the denotified tribes of India and fought court cases for denotified tribal killings on
behalf of the Paschim Banga Kheria Sabar Kalyan Samiti of Purulia, West Bengal, of
which I happen to be the Working President. Then in 1998, I founded an all India forum
for the rights of denotified communities. In March 1998 we established the Denotified &
Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group as an all India organisation. Since then our
movement has spread to many states and has received considerable attention in the media
at the national level. During these years I have met excellent younger workers like
Laxman, Ganesh, Kanji, Ratan, Meena, Ajay, Avinash, Ratankatyayni, as well as senior
leaders like Ranjit Naik, Anil Pandey, Atmaram Rathod and many others.
I have been seeing tribal land eviction for dam and industry construction from the time of
the Damodar Valley dam construction, Ranchi Heavy Industries, and Bokharo Plants. I
think, it is time to identify the exact problems faced by the tribals.
Mass tribal land eviction is going on for decades for big dam and other constructions.
Forests are filled and forest dependent tribals are largely evicted.
Agricultural tribal communities are forced to become casual labours.
Tribals of India have become a floating mass, nameless and faceless. They are denied of
every right promised in the Constitution.
The so-called reservation has not benefited the tribals as they are absolutely marginalised.
They have been denied of education and other benefits. From the time of Independence
till date, Government of India spends oceans of money for tribal development. Who
benefits? Definitely not the tribals. Every law and act made for protection of the tribals
benefit non-tribals.
The denotified communities are even worse off. They have become totally expendable to
the system. So if the evicted tribals are denied of land for land, or money for land, the
denotified communities are hounded and tortured by police and society, all the time.
I appeal to you all to found a common forum for the tribals and the denotified
communities of India and form a common front.
I am now seventy five and we need to lead our movement to its ultimate conclusion by
entering the phase of a massive jan-jagaran programme, and challenging the Government
of India through the Supreme Court. Therefore, we will need an organisational discipline
so that our limited resources are used effectively and the desired results are achieved. I
would therefore like to invite - all of you who feel for the tribals and denotified
communities - to join hands with me once again and to create a National Forum for the
rights of Tribals and Denotified Communities (The National Forum for Tribals
and Denotified Communities) with headquarters at 6 United Avenue, Near Dinesh Mill,
Vadodara 390 007.
Based on my experience of long years, I visualise the new organisation to have the
following components :
4. Every community in each state will form a Committee on the line of Paschim Bangal
Kheria Sabar Kalyan Samiti, taking into consideration of the local needs.
5. We will have one national level meeting of all members of State Co-ordination
Committees in the month of March to chart out the course of action for the coming
months.
I appeal to you in the interest of the most oppressed to come together and give your all to
this movement which I am launching out of desperation as the very ultimate in my life.
Yours,
Mahasveta Devi
DNT/2001/
26.01.2001
I write this letter out of desperation and anxiety regarding the results of the historic
Meeting that you so kindly convened on 15th February last year on the issue of denotified
communities and which was attended by government representatives of 8 States. You may
recall that one of the most important resolutions passed during that Meeting was
regarding repealment of Habitual Offenders Acts in different States.
Subsequent to the Meeting and in accordance with your directions, I and other office
bearers of the Denotified & Nomadic Tribes Rights Action Group, had Meetings with the
Welfare Secretaries of Punjab and Gujarat, and Chief Secretary of Rajasthan. The Chief
Secretary of Maharashtra was inaccessible and unavailable despite several attempts made
by us to contact him. None of the 8 States represented in the Meeting and party to the
Resolution of repealing the Habitual Offenders Acts have made any attempt in that
direction so far. If this is the situation, pardon me for saying that the State Governments
are making a mockery of the noble principles that the National Human Rights
Commission seeks to follow, and this is also an instance of complete lack of sensitivity
towards the human rights and welfare needs of the most underprivileged denotified and
nomadic communities.
Sir, while working with these communities my colleagues and I experience day after day
and in each and every locality of tribals and denotified communities, a limitless
desperation and alarming sense of dismay. I, for one, will be least surprised if a total
cynicism towards the Indian Constitution and the rule of Law develops among these
people. Considering that the situation of complete apathy persists, I would like to urge the
NHRC to convene an urgent Meeting of government representatives of all those States
that participated in the last Meeting and call for
an Action Taken Report (ATR) from each of the States. I do not know if the NHRC is in a
position to deal with the contempt of its Directives, however, I distinctly recall that during
the Meeting you had mentioned that the word 'shall' used by you will be interpreted by
the States with sufficient respect. Further, my prayers are to allow me as well as Vice
President of DNT-RAG, Shri Laxman Gaikwad and Secretary of DNT-RAG, Dr. G. N.
Devy, to attend the Meeting as and when it is convened. On behalf of all tribals and
denotified communities of India without any ray of hope, I will be most grateful to the
NHRC and you, in particular.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Mahasweta Devi
24.03.2001
Shri K. R. Narayanan
Honourable President of India
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi 110 001
I write out of an immense sense of anxiety and concern for the shocking idea that any bill
like the Madhya Pradesh Special Areas Security Bill 2000 can acquire the status of law
in our country. I appeal to you for your immediate intervention in the matter and to stop
the passage of the bill which will become a lethal weapon in the hands of the police and
the bureaucracy for use against outspoken critics of the system.
On behalf of all my tribal friends and colleagues, I request that the progress of this idea be
brought to an immediate halt by using whatever Constitutional powers are vested in your
office.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. G. N. Devy
Secretary, DNT-RAG
Copy to :
1. Governor, Madhya Pradesh, Rajyapal Bhawan, Bhopal.
2. Shri J. S. Verma, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Sardar Patel
Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
3. Honourable Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, Shamla Hills, Bhopal.
4. President, All India Congress Committee, (Congress I), 20 Janpath,
New Delhi 110 001
5. Shri Raghvendra/Shamim, Shramik Adivasi Sangathan, Shahpur, Dist. Betul,
Madhya Pradesh 460 440
6. Ms Seema Misra, Amnesty International, G 13, 1st Floor, Hauz Khas Market, New
Delhi 110 016.