Affirmative Action in India with special reference to Indian tribes

Affirmative Action in India with special reference to Indian tribes-A
Critical Analysis
Dr.Alok Chantia
Lecturer,Dept.of Anthropology
Sri J.N.P.G. College, Lucknow-1
E-mail: alokchantia@rediffmail.com
Abstract
In academics the definition of tribe is given as ‘a group of family which is living in a certain
area with a common name and language who are governed with some taboos and marriage
rituals and they also observe some common behavior and duty’. "A tribe in generally an
endogamous group". Apart from this definition, under article 342, Constitution of India can
also declare a group as schedule tribe (ST).
At the time of independence the total number of tribal group was 212 which have now
increased to 698 (according to 2001 census). It reflects the negative idea about development
and growth. Tribal group is considered as simple society near to nature. In other words it can
be said that tribal group is far way from the complexities of technological knowledge which
prevail in urban societies. The tribal group use simple technology, cultivation by indigenous
methods, shifting cultivation and forest based economy but this situation is not evenly
distributed across the country because of the affirmative action of Indian Government since
1950.
The Indian tribe may be divided into two categories namely-
(1) Observed Tribes
(2) Actual Tribes
Observed tribes are those groups who are benefited by Constitutional safeguards (Article
342). These groups are increasing day by day which reflects the pseudo picture of desanskritization.
Recently we witnessed the case of Rajasthan where Gujjar community who is
presently categorized as OBC, is trying to be enlisted as tribal community only due to the
given provision for affirmative action. Now Gujjar knows the benefits of scheduled tribe
status. This approach is also creating a cultural conflict between Gujjar and Meena (it is
scheduled tribe of Rajasthan), because Meena feel that it is an encroachment in their benefits.
Today we see that observed tribes are increasing day by day which is very alarming as it
leads to cultural conflict and tensions.
Whereas actual tribes are those groups who are sketched as tribes by Anthropologist and in
real practice they are tribes. But some groups like Dhankut of district Bahraich are neither
categorized as observed nor as actual tribe because no study has been done so far on them by
any social scientist. Dhankut is an endogamous group and they practice cross cousin and
parallel cousin marriage which are queer tribal features, Dhankut are victim of circumstances,
it is an isolated, economically poor group outcast by other groups of the society. This shows
that affirmative action in India for tribal society is still awaited.
Affirmative action is India, especially for tribal society is also increasing the process of
tribalization. A very good example of tribalization is Rawain Jaunpur a scheduled caste group
of Uttarkashi of Uttaranchal state. This group is trying to be a tribal group since 1967 when
jaunsar bawar of Dehradun of Uttaranchal was declared as ST on the ground of their queer
characteristic of polyandry. After knowing this parameter, Rawain Jaunpur started practicing
polyandry, though they have sufficient land and normal sex ratio (cause for polyandry). In the
same way Harizan bhotia of Pithoragarh of Uttaranchal state is also fighting for ST Status.
They claim their ST status on the basis of their long back association with Bhotia tribe of
Uttaranchal. All these factors are affecting the affirmative action of India for their real
betterment and development
Human right is a new paradigm of culture. Culture which is defined as total way of life of a
man is nothing but right. Culture provides for all basic necessities of life of its people, but in
globalized world the definition of culture has changed and now it has been converted into
technological culture which is recognized by production by advance technology. Nowadays
3000 small and big dams are being made across the country for the development of nation
and ultimately for its people too. Since almost all natural resources are in tribal possession,
modern developments have created the problem of displacement of tribal people.
Government has done a lot for their rehabilitation, but their culture which was the source of
their subsistence at micro level, has been destroyed. Now tribal people are tending towards
individuality instead of community based approach. Presently, government has launched
many programmes like scholarship scheme, provisions for land reforms, forest village
concept, education facilities, reservation in service etc. Government has passed many social
legislations such as Special Marriage Act 1954, Anti Witch Craft Act in many states.
Provision has also been made for representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly and Lok
Sabha which has enhanced the chances for the assimilation of tribal people in main stream.
Every coin has two faces. Similarly, affirmative action in India has shown both positive and
negative effects in tribal groups. Present rapid increase in observed tribal population is very
alarming, as it reflects that actual tribes are being denied many privileges as observed tribal
groups are making an hole in the benefits of actual tribal groups. Thus both positive and
negative side of the affirmative action will be discussed in my proposed paper.