“Tracing the roots India’s Dalit problem: The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871”, HinduDvesha, February 2, 2024:
“At the dawn of India’s independence in 1947, there were 13 million individuals across 127 communities who were at risk of search and arrest if any member of their group was found outside the designated area. This outrage was the result of the Criminal Tribes Act enacted during British colonial rule in India, serving as a grim chapter in the nation’s history.
Enacted in 1871, this law represented a systematic effort to label certain communities as habitual criminals, subjecting them to discrimination, surveillance, and restrictions on their movements. Persisting until 1949, the act had a profound and enduring impact on the affected communities, influencing their social identity and perpetuating stereotypes. Indeed, for those seeking to understand the roots of the contemporary Dalit issue in India, there’s no need to look beyond this shameful remnant of the British era.
This article explores the origins, impact, and eventual repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act, shedding light on its historical context and enduring consequences.
Origins of the Act
The Criminal Tribes Act originated as a response to the aftermath of the 1857 revolt, where many tribal chiefs were labeled traitors and rebellious.[1] The British colonial government, facing challenges in managing diverse groups like wandering criminal tribes, vagrants, itinerants, and eunuchs, grouped them as a “law and order problem.” These tribes, living on society’s fringes, were perceived as a menace to 19th-century societal standards, leading to the need for control and surveillance…..”
Read the full article at Hindudvesha.org
