New Delhi, July 21 – In a significant development during the first day of the Monsoon Session in Lok Sabha, Member of Parliament Dr. Mannalal Rawat brought national attention to the decades-old issue of delisting – a movement to redefine eligibility for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in India. Under Rule 377, Dr. Rawat raised the demand to provide constitutional rights to the 720 Scheduled Tribes (STs) of India, especially those who have been deprived of these rights since 1950 due to religious conversion.
Delisting Movement Gains Momentum in Parliament
Dr. Rawat emphasized that the current legal framework under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution allows for the notification of Scheduled Tribes by the President, but lacks clear exclusion criteria for individuals who have renounced their traditional tribal customs and adopted other religions like Christianity or Islam. Unlike the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, where converts are excluded, no such disqualification exists for Scheduled Tribes.
He stated that many converted individuals continue to benefit from ST-specific schemes, including scholarships, reservations, and welfare allocations, despite abandoning the indigenous cultural identity that ST status is meant to protect. This, according to Dr. Rawat, leads to an unfair diversion of benefits from tribal communities who have preserved their ancestral customs.
He called for a clear legal provision similar to that of the SC category, which would ensure that individuals who have converted and no longer follow tribal traditions are formally removed from the ST list.
Historical Background: Delisting Bill First Introduced in the 1970s
Dr. Rawat also reminded Parliament that the issue of delisting was not new. In the 1970s, a significant coalition of 348 Members of Parliament supported the Delisting Bill introduced under the leadership of tribal Congress stalwart Dr. Kartik Oraon. The MPs had even written to then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, urging the exclusion of converted individuals from the ST category.
Despite this majority, the proposal was ignored due to political pressure from minority groups. Dr. Rawat argued that the current government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has consistently advocated for tribal welfare and cultural pride, is well-positioned to correct this historical oversight and bring justice to indigenous communities.
Opposition from BAP and Political Dynamics
Dr. Rawat also pointed out that the BAP party, active in Rajasthan’s Dungarpur and Banswara districts, has been opposing the Delisting Movement, aligning itself with converted tribal populations. He suggested that this position ignores the constitutional and cultural rights of those who have remained loyal to their traditional tribal identity.
Support from Tribal Welfare Organizations
Reacting to Dr. Rawat’s parliamentary intervention, Surya Narayan Suri, National Organizational Secretary of the Janjati Suraksha Manch, praised the move as a landmark step toward restoring justice. He urged political parties, especially Congress, to support the Delisting Bill and rectify past mistakes, referencing the original support shown by Dr. Kartik Oraon in 1977.
Lalu Ram Katara, Rajasthan State Convenor of Janjati Suraksha Manch, reiterated the platform’s long-standing commitment to the cause. “Dr. Rawat is carrying forward Dr. Oraon’s dream,” he said, adding that the delisting issue is not about political ideology, but about social justice and cultural preservation.
What Is Delisting?
Delisting refers to the removal of individuals from the Scheduled Tribe list if they no longer follow the cultural, religious, or social practices of tribal communities. The movement calls for a legal mechanism that aligns ST eligibility with cultural continuity, similar to provisions that already exist for Scheduled Castes.
Outlook: Will the Government Take Legislative Action?
With the issue once again gaining traction at the national level, all eyes are on whether the current government will introduce a formal Bill to define and regulate Scheduled Tribe status. As tribal communities across 22 states continue to rally under the banner of delisting, the demand for policy clarity and equitable distribution of benefits grows louder.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information sourced from parliamentary proceedings, public speeches, and official statements. Readers are encouraged to verify updates and developments through government portals and authentic sources.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
