National ST Commission Rebukes Rajasthan Chief Secretary, District Collectors Over Inaction on MP’s Complaint Regarding Bhil Community Misclassification
UDAIPUR, March 24, 2025: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has issued a stern warning to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and the Collectors of Udaipur and Chittorgarh for failing to respond to a complaint filed by Udaipur MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat. The complaint alleges that members of the Bhil, Bhil-Meena, and Meena communities are being forcibly categorized under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, thereby violating their constitutional rights as Scheduled Tribes (STs).
15-Day Deadline to Submit Report
Taking a strict stance, the NCST has granted the state officials 15 days to submit a detailed report. The Commission warned that if no reply is received within this period, it would exercise its civil court powers under Article 338A of the Constitution, including the authority to summon individuals or representatives to appear before the Commission.
This action comes in response to Dr. Rawat’s detailed complaint, in which he highlighted that the misclassification of tribal individuals with the traditional title “Rawat” into the OBC list has led to large-scale land grabs and deprivation of constitutional rights, including reservation in education, employment, and political representation.
“Rawat” Title Misinterpreted to Strip ST Rights
MP Rawat argued that “Rawat” is a traditional title for village heads among Bhil tribes in Southern Rajasthan, similar to “Gameti” or “Patel,” and even recognized under the PESA Act, 1996. However, by deliberately interpreting “Rawat” as an OBC caste, thousands of tribal families have been stripped of their ST status in official land records.
He further alleged that during the Congress government’s tenure, certain administrative orders were issued to change the caste status in land records, including a circular dated November 1, 1996, which directed officials to replace “Meena” with “Rawat” in revenue documents, thereby illegally reclassifying STs as OBCs.
Another order from the Udaipur District Collector dated September 11, 2000, allegedly directed revenue officials to treat “Rawat” as an OBC classification, effectively launching a campaign that undermined the constitutional rights of Bhils and Meenas in the region.
A Political Conspiracy to Deprive ST Rights?
MP Rawat has termed this act a criminal conspiracy, claiming it is a calculated move to seize agricultural land and deprive ST communities of their constitutional protections and reservations. He also submitted verified land record copies (Jamabandi) to the Commission to support his claims.
Citing the 1965 Lokur Committee’s recommendations and the five established criteria for defining Scheduled Tribes under Article 342, Rawat emphasized that the misclassification violates both constitutional norms and historical tribal rights.
Commission May Exercise Civil Court Powers
The NCST’s firm response underscores the seriousness of the issue. The Commission made it clear that non-compliance will lead to summons and hearings under the legal powers vested in it, signaling that the matter may escalate further if state authorities continue to delay.
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.
