Idate Commission Report: A Key to Safeguarding Nomadic Tribes, Says NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to implement the recommendations of the Idate Commission report, which was submitted in 2018. The report highlights the plight of the De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs, NTs and SNTs) in India and suggests various measures to protect their rights and welfare.

Who are the DNTs, NTs and SNTs?

The DNTs, NTs and SNTs are communities that have been historically marginalised and discriminated by the colonial and post-colonial laws and policies. The DNTs are those tribes that were branded as ‘criminal’ by the British under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 and were subjected to surveillance, confinement and forced labour. The act was repealed in 1952, but the stigma and prejudice against these communities continued. The NTs and SNTs are those tribes that have a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in search of livelihood. They are often engaged in traditional occupations such as animal husbandry, basket weaving, snake charming, acrobatics, etc. According to the Idate Commission report, there are about 198 DNTs, 313 NTs and 198 SNTs in India, comprising about 10% of the country’s population.

What are the challenges faced by these communities?

The DNTs, NTs and SNTs face multiple challenges such as lack of identity documents, land rights, education, health care, employment, social security and legal aid. They are also vulnerable to exploitation, harassment, violence and human rights violations by the police, forest officials, landlords and other dominant groups. They are often denied access to public services and welfare schemes due to their low social status and mobility. They also face discrimination and exclusion from the mainstream society due to their culture, occupation and appearance.

What are the recommendations of the Idate Commission report?

The Idate Commission report has made several recommendations to address the issues faced by these communities. Some of the key recommendations are:

• Setting up a permanent commission for DNTs, NTs and SNTs at the central and state levels to monitor their development and welfare.
• Repealing or amending the Habitual Offenders Act of 1952, which continues to criminalise these communities and violates their human dignity.
• Providing reservations for DNTs, NTs and SNTs in education, employment and political representation under a separate category.
• Issuing identity cards to DNTs, NTs and SNTs to ensure their access to public services and benefits.
• Allocating land and housing rights to DNTs, NTs and SNTs to ensure their security and livelihood.
• Implementing special schemes for education, health care, skill development, entrepreneurship and social security for DNTs, NTs and SNTs.
• Promoting the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of DNTs, NTs and SNTs and protecting them from exploitation and commodification.
• Creating awareness among the public and the media about the history, culture and contribution of DNTs, NTs and SNTs to the nation.

What is the NHRC’s role in safeguarding these communities?

The NHRC is an autonomous statutory body that is mandated to protect and promote human rights in India. The NHRC has taken several initiatives to safeguard the rights and welfare of DNTs, NTs and SNTs. Some of these are:

• Organising open house discussions with various stakeholders such as government officials, civil society organisations, academics, activists and representatives of these communities to identify their problems and suggest solutions.
• Conducting investigations into cases of human rights violations against these communities such as police atrocities, land grabbing, displacement, etc.
• Issuing notices to the central and state governments to take action on the complaints received from these communities or on its own motion.
• Recommending compensation or relief to the victims of human rights violations or their families.
• Advising the government to implement the recommendations of the Idate Commission report in a time-bound manner.

Conclusion

The Idate Commission report is a comprehensive document that provides a roadmap for ensuring the dignity, development and justice for DNTs, NTs and SNTs in India. The NHRC has been playing a proactive role in advocating for their rights and welfare. However, there is still a need for greater political will, administrative efficiency and social awareness to implement the report’s recommendations effectively. The DNTs, NTs and SNTs are an integral part of India’s diversity and democracy. They deserve respect, recognition and empowerment from the state and the society.