Saumya Shanker (PhD, Assistant Professor, Sociology)
Email: [email protected]
DSMNR University, Lucknow
Abstract: Some tribes in India, known for their criminal propensities have been declared as criminal tribes under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871. After Independence, the Criminal Tribes Act was repealed in 1952 and these groups came to be known as ‘Denotified communities’. The Denotified Tribes (DNTs) of India represent a historically marginalized and stigmatized segment of society. Originally branded as “criminal tribes” under British colonial rule, these communities were subjected to systemic discrimination and surveillance. Despite being “Denotified” post-Independence, the legacy of criminalization persists, manifesting in socio-economic exclusion and police harassment. The objective of this paper is to
give an overview on the history and characteristics of these Denotified Tribes and throw light on the various theories behind their criminal behavior. This paper also focuses on the efforts of the government towards promoting social justice for these tribes. Data and information from various secondary sources were collected, collated and analyzed for the purpose of writing this paper.
Keywords: Criminal Tribes; DNTs; Tribes; Law; Nomads; PVTGs