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Context

Lok Sabha Speaker at 286th birth anniversary celebration of Sant Sewalal Maharaj & Punya Tithi of Roop Singh Ji Maharaj highlighted invaluable contributions of Banjara community in preserving nature & safeguarding cultural traditions as well as emphasized necessity of mainstreaming community in India development journey.

Banjara Community

Origins and Etymology:

The term Banjara comes from Sanskrit: vanaj (trade) & jara (travel).

Historically Banjaras were nomadic traders supplying essential goods to rural villages.

They are known by different names across India:

Lambada or Lambaniin Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka.
Gwar or Gwaraiyain Rajasthan.

Colonial-Era Marginalization:

British classified Banjaras under Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 labeling them as a threat. This led to severe repression and social marginalization.

In 1950s they were included under the Habitual Offenders Act of 1952 furthering their stigmatization.

Social Classification in India:

Scheduled Caste (SC): Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka.

Other Backward Class (OBC): Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Language and Cultural Identity:

Banjara language is known as Gorboli, Gor Mati Boli or “Brinjari” & belongs to Indo Aryan language family.

It is a unique dialect spoken within the community.

Religious and Cultural Debate:

Some RSS-linked organizations have attempted to integrate Banjaras into mainstream Hinduism.

This has sparked a cultural debate: Some see it as Hinduisation which could dilute their unique identity. Others feel social pressure to adopt mainstream religious practices.

Government Recognition and Celebrations:

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75th anniversary of India’s independence) included cultural exhibitions and dance performances by Banjaras.

Events are held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Centre New Delhi showcasing their rich traditions.

Sant Sewalal Maharaj and Roop Singh Ji Maharaj

Aspect	Sant Sewalal Maharaj	Roop Singh Ji Maharaj
Spiritual Leadership	Guided the Banjara community spiritually.	Provided spiritual leadership to the Banjara community.
Social Reform	Advocated for social equality, education, and upliftment.	Promoted social unity and empowerment within the community.
Cultural Influence	Preserved traditional values while encouraging progress.	Focused on preserving cultural practices and promoting modern education.
Key Teachings	Unity, social equality, importance of education.	Devotion to faith, self-improvement and community service.
Community Empowerment	Focused on improving socio-economic conditions.	Empowered Banjaras by promoting education and self-sufficiency.
Legacy	Revered as a spiritual and social reformer among Banjaras.	Continued the work of Sant Sewalal Maharaj leaving a lasting impact.
Prominent Focus	Spiritual awakening, social harmony and cultural preservation.	Spiritual growth, education, social service and empowerment.
Current Influence	Still worshipped and followed by many Banjaras.	His teachings continue to inspire the community today.

Classification of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes

Aspect	Scheduled Castes (SC)	Scheduled Tribes (ST)	Other Backward Classes (OBC)
Definition	Castes historically subjected to untouchability.	Indigenous people living in remote or hilly areas.	Castes/groups considered socially and educationally backward.
Constitutional Basis	Article 341 of the Indian Constitution.	Article 342 of the Indian Constitution.	Not explicitly mentioned; recognized through social criteria.
Article 366(25)	N/A	Defines "Scheduled Tribes" for the purposes of the Constitution.	N/A
Social Status	Historically marginalized, facing social discrimination.	Indigenous groups with distinct cultures, languages, and traditions.	Socially and educationally disadvantaged but not as marginalized as SCs or STs.
Economic Status	Often economically disadvantaged, though varies widely.	Generally economically underdeveloped, with high poverty rates.	Economically backward compared to the general population.
Government Support	Reserved seats in legislatures, educational institutions, and government jobs.	Reserved seats in legislatures, educational institutions, and government jobs.	Reserved seats in educational institutions and government jobs, but not as much as SCs/STs.
Reservation in Jobs	15% in government jobs and educational institutions.	7.5% in government jobs and educational institutions.	27% in government jobs and educational institutions.
Land Ownership	Varies by region; historically, less land ownership.	Often small-scale land ownership or landless.	Generally higher land ownership but varies by region.
Culture/Traditions	Cultural practices often associated with lower social status.	Rich cultural diversity, often with distinct languages and practices.	Culture may overlap with SC/STs but has a different social status.
Affirmative Action	Extensive affirmative action programs (job quotas, scholarships, etc.).	Extensive affirmative action programs (job quotas, scholarships, etc.).	Moderate affirmative action programs (job quotas, scholarships).

Sources:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Analyze socio economic challenges of Banjara community, their ST/OBC classification & evaluate effectiveness of constitutional provisions in addressing these challenges.