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A Status Report On Marginalized Communities in Uttar Pradesh

This document provides a status report on four marginalized communities in Uttar Pradesh - the Musahars, Tharus, Vantangiyas, and Valmikis. It describes the current locations and populations of each community, and discusses their histories, occupations, and ongoing struggles with poverty, lack of access to education, healthcare and other resources. The four groups face significant social and economic marginalization.

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Aakash Chauhan
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134 views3 pages

A Status Report On Marginalized Communities in Uttar Pradesh

This document provides a status report on four marginalized communities in Uttar Pradesh - the Musahars, Tharus, Vantangiyas, and Valmikis. It describes the current locations and populations of each community, and discusses their histories, occupations, and ongoing struggles with poverty, lack of access to education, healthcare and other resources. The four groups face significant social and economic marginalization.

Uploaded by

Aakash Chauhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Status Report on Marginalized Communities in Uttar Pradesh

By Legal Services Dept., IDIA Uttar Pradesh

1. Musahars – [Current Place in UP : Kushinagar District]

Musahar or Mushahar are a tribal-turned-Dalit community found in the


eastern Gangetic plain and the Terai. They are also known as Banbasi. The other
names of the Musahar are Bhuiyan and Rajawar while they are known on the plateau
as Manjhi. Their name literally means 'rat-eater' due to their main former
occupation of catching rats, and there are many who are still forced to do this work
due to destitution and poverty1.

The Musahars are a Hindu outcast (without any caste). For their growth and
development they have been given Scheduled Caste status for political benefits as
SCs have reservation in Indian 'reservation system'. The term ‘Musahar’ means ‘rat-
eater’, which gives an idea of the people’s status. Widespread poverty amongst
Musahars has led them to consume rats as a source of protein2.

Population : According to 2011 census, 3,057,396 persons reported as members of


Musahar caste accounting about 0.23 per cent of total population of India and 1.8
per cent of total scheduled caste population in the country3.

2. Tharu (Tribals, Scheduled Tribes)


[Current Place in UP : Balrampur, Bahraich, Lakhimpur and Pilibhit]

The community belongs to the Terai lowlands, amid the Shivaliks or lower
Himalayas. Most of them are forest dwellers, and some practice agriculture. The
word tharu is believed to be derived from sthavir, meaning followers of Theravada
Buddhism.

The Tharus live in both India and Nepal. In the Indian terai, they live mostly in
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. According to the 2011 census, the

1 Musahar, India, available at : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musahar


2
A Special Initiative - Working with Mushar Communit, Sehbhagi Shiksha Kendra, available at :
https://www.sahbhagi.org/en/a-special-initiative-working-with-mushar-community

3
Socio-Demographic Condition of One of the Most Marginalised Caste in Northern India, DP Singh,
available at : http://demographyindia.in/article_document/22/3249810.pdf
Population : Scheduled Tribe population in Uttar Pradesh was more than 11 lakh;
this number is estimated to have crossed 20 lakh now.4

3. Vantangiyas (Forest Dwellers) –


[Current Place in UP : Gorakhpur & Maharjgang District]

The community comprises people brought from Myanmar during the colonial rule to
plant trees for afforestation 5.

The community that has been turning barren land into dense forests is struggling for
education, subsidised food and healthcare6.

“Vantangiyas are Indians but did not have rights like other Indians till a few decades
ago. Even today they have to struggle for basic things like a school and hospital,”
said Manoj Kr Singh, a forest rights activist and a journalist.

“ये अलग-अलग स्थानों के ऐसे लोग थे जिनके पास िीवनयापन का कोई िरिया नह ीं
था. साखू के पेडों का िींगल बसाने के ललए वर्ाा दे श िो अब मयाींर्ाि नार् से िाना
िाता है , वहाीं की ''टाींगगया ववगि'' का इस्तेर्ाल ककया गया. इसललए वन र्ें िहकि साखू
के पेड लगाने औि उनकी दे ख-िे ख किने वालों को वनटाींगगया कहा गया”.

“गोिखपुि जिले के कुसमह िींगल के पाींच इलाकों िींगल ततनकोतनया नींबि तीन,
ििह खाले टोला, ििह नसाि , आर्बाग नसाि व गचलबबलवा र्ें वनटाींगगयों की पाींच
बजस्तयाीं हैं. ये बजस्तयाीं 1918 र्ें बसाई गई थीीं.”

4. Valmiki (Scheduled Caste of UP)


[Current Place in UP : Hathras & Rakheda Village, Bulandsheher Distrcit]

Population : The Balmiki are one of the largest socially stigmatized Dalit groups
numbering nearly 1.5 million in Uttar Pradesh alone and constitute about 16 % of

4
Who are Tharu Tribe, available at : https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-are-
the-tharu-tribals-of-the-up-terai-7095740/
5
Yogi Adityanath gifts projects for Vantangiya community, available at :
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/yogi-adityanath-gifts-projects-for-vantangiya-community-1613334-2019-
10-28
6
Vantangiyas: Forests builders but not considered forest dwellers, available at :
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/vantangiyas-forests-builders-but-not-considered-forest-dwellers-
64530
India’s population.

Work : Balmiki’s are employed as sweepers in municipalities, hospitals and


government offices. Some Balmiki are engaged in agricultural or contract
labour. Pig rearing, bamboo basketry, and poultry farming are some ancillary
occupations. Some Balmiki, such as the Mehtar men of Bihar, play drums at
weddings and festivals, while women are midwives7.

Need : The Balmiki need to be given dignity and freed from centuries of
discrimination. Poverty and illiteracy has to be eradicated. Material needs have to
be balanced with emotional and spiritual growth.

7
Balmiki, Peoples of India, available at : https://peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/balmiki/

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