Over 10 Crore People Could Be Erased from India’s Future: A Census Crisis Looming Large
The 2027 Census is on the horizon, but a shadow looms over its potential to exclude and alienate over 10 crore people—the Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs). Renowned linguist and cultural scholar Professor G.N. Devy warns that failing to count these communities could perpetuate their historical marginalization, a legacy of the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, Professor Devy, who chaired the Ministry of Social Justice’s Technical Advisory Group on DNTs in 2006 and co-founded the DNT-Rights Action Group (DNT-RAG) with author Mahasweta Devi, emphasized that the Census Commissioner must explicitly declare these communities will be counted. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite repeated calls from committees like the Iyengar Committee (1950), NHRC (early 2000s), Renke Commission (2008), and Idate Commission (2017), the Census has never directly asked individuals, “Are you a member of a DNT, nomadic, or semi-nomadic community? Have you been historically classified as a ‘criminal tribe’?” Without such questions, these communities risk being overlooked yet again.
The Stakes Are Higher Than Just Numbers
Excluding DNTs isn’t merely a bureaucratic oversight—it’s a systemic erasure. Historically, these communities were stigmatized as ‘criminal’ under colonial rule and have since struggled for recognition. Even household surveys often fail to account for their unique lifestyles, lumping them into generic categories like ‘houseless’ or ‘general population.’ This isn’t just about data—it’s about dignity, identity, and rights. And this is the part most people miss: without accurate enumeration, DNTs cannot advocate for reservations or representation in governance structures, further entrenching their marginalization.
How Can the Census Get It Right?
Professor Devy outlines four critical steps:
1. Explicit Declaration: The Census must publicly commit to counting DNTs, not as a subset of SC/ST/OBC but as a distinct category.
2. Accessible Technology: Where digital tools are used, offline declaration systems must be available for those without internet access.
3. Simplified Documentation: Avoid burdensome paperwork; historically, even panchayats have refused to issue birth certificates to DNTs.
4. Anthropological Verification: Post-Census, data must be cross-verified with the Anthropological Survey of India and opened to scholarly scrutiny.
A Question of Identity—And Intersectionality
Here’s the controversial counterpoint: some argue that singling out DNTs could reinforce stigma. But Professor Devy counters, “Their identity is not exclusive of other identities; it intersects with them. The bureaucratic process must adapt to this complexity.” With demands for separate DNT quotas in legislatures and panchayats growing louder, the Census’s role in legitimizing these claims cannot be overstated.
The People’s Verdict
Should DNTs be counted separately? Should they receive reservations? These questions aren’t just for policymakers—they’re for every Indian. As the 2027 Census approaches, the clock is ticking. Will it be a tool of inclusion or another chapter of exclusion? The answer lies not just in data, but in our collective conscience. What do you think? Share your thoughts below—this conversation needs your voice.
