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Khanabadosh

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​With an estimated 1.5 crore people, India has the world’s largest nomadic population of 666 communities with diverse sociocultural identities, carrying unique practices. These Nomadic communities in independent India are severely marginalised despite becoming de-notified from previous colonial criminalised status. Often misunderstood, their arts and heritage are under threat of dislodgement due to forced assimilation. Genetic and linguistic studies trace the histories of the Roma people across Europe and UK to the Indian nomadic communities. These caravans are artists and craftspersons who travelled and were borderless. 

 

Today, both the Nomads of India as well as Roma people in the UK live similar lives in the margins, marred by cultural neglect and racism. In India, a staggering 94% of Nomadic people fall in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, whereas in the UK, where national estimates of the size of the Roma population is about 200,000, they have only been recognised as a separate ethnicity and added to the census in 2021.

 

Khanabadosh is conceptualised to acknowledge the tremendous contribution the Nomadic communities have made to India’s socio-economic fabric as traders, artistes, craftspersons, and providers of other crucial services throughout history. Through a series of curated activities we propose to ignite transnational cultural reconciliation.

Policy and legislative framework of the Commission

The DNT Policy in the state of Rajasthan represents a significant step towards recognising and addressing the historical injustices, marginalization, and exclusion faced by De-Notified Tribes (DNTs), Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities  in India. Ek Potlee Ret Ki, a prominent part of the consultative group, played a pivotal role in proposing and formulating this policy, which aims to acknowledge the identity and contributions of these communities while ensuring their rights and dignity.

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Key Highlights of the DNT Policy:

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  • Housing and Settlement: It focuses on providing "adequate and suitable housing" to these communities, respecting their lifestyle and culture. The policy offers the choice of settled or itinerant life.

  • Education and Health: Ensuring access to education, including free and compulsory schooling, and healthcare, is a priority. The policy emphasises the enrollment of children in schools and aims to establish residential schools for better access.

  • Cultural Preservation: The policy recognises the rich cultural heritage of DNTs and Nomadic Communities, including their languages. It aims to protect and promote their culture and traditional skills.

  • Skill Development: Specialized skill development programs are planned, encompassing both traditional and contemporary skills, to empower individuals from these communities for sustainable livelihoods.

  • Employment Opportunities: The policy seeks to provide employment opportunities, both self-employment and wage employment, to uplift the economic status of these communities.

  • Protection from Laws: Measures will be taken to sensitize authorities about the impact of certain laws, such as the Prevention of Begging Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, on the livelihood of DNTs and Pastoral Nomads.

  • Identity Cards: To address the challenge of proving citizenship due to their migratory nature and social stigma, the policy proposes issuing identity cards for easy access to social security measures.

  • Budgetary Allocation: Adequate budget allocation, as per the Karnataka Pattern, will be made to support the implementation of the policy and cater to the needs of these communities.

  • Research and Documentation: An Autonomous Research Centre will be established to conduct research, documentation, and policy support for DNTs and Nomadic Communities.

  • Monitoring and Accountability: The policy ensures transparency, accountability, and regular monitoring through social audits and external evaluations.

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