The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India today organised an open house discussion on ‘Protection of Nomadic, Semi Nomadic and De-Notified Tribes in India and forward trajectory’.
NHRC member Dnyaneshwar M Mulay noted the right to life, equality, dignity and liberty are the four major pillars of human rights and every citizen, regardless of background, deserves an equal opportunity to thrive and contribute.
He said the colonial mindset about De-Notified Tribes having ‘criminal tendencies’ needs to change to ensure their human rights are not violated.
Proper documentation of their identities needs to be speeded up so that they get the benefits of welfare schemes and the basic needs are provided to them, he added.
NHRC joint secretary Devendra Kumar Nim lamented De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes remain the most neglected, marginalised and economically and socially deprived communities.
He said one of the most pressing issues is the lack of citizenship documents, which makes their identity invisible, and causes hindrances in obtaining government benefits, constitutional and citizenship rights.