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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Count us as tribals or don't count us at all, Jhodia tribals

Count us as tribals or don't count us at all, Jhodia tribals

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published Published on Feb 17, 2011   modified Modified on Feb 17, 2011
Having lost faith in the government for not conferring them tribal status, the Jhodia community in Rayagada district has threatened not to share their details to the enumerators during the census.

The Jhodia population stands around 50,000 who live in around 85 villages, particularly in Rayagada's Kasipur block and eke out a living by collecting forest produce and engaging themselves as daily-wage labourers.

"For the past several years, we are demanding tribal status for our community but to no avail. From time to time we have staged demonstrations demanding tribal status. But this time, we are firm in our demand and have decided not to share our details with the enumerators," said Sumani Jhodia, a woman leader of the community.

Last year, during the first phase of the census also, the Jhodias had threatened not to share their details with the enumerators unless they were conferred the tribal status. But after the district administration's assurance to look into their demand, they had co-operated with the census-officials.

"The principle of census is not to challenge the information given by people. There are reports that the Jhodias have decided not to co-operate with the officials unless they are included in tribal category. So, the administration has asked the enumerators to record whatever information the Jhodias are supplying them with. If they say they are tribals, then we should not have any problem in enlisting them as tribals," said collector (Rayagada) Nitin Bhanudas Jawle.

According to sources there has been confusion over the tribal status of the Jhodias in Rayagada district for the past one decade. The community leaders allege that they were enjoying the tribal status, but since the late nineties they have been included in the OBC.

"Since long we were enjoying tribal status. But in 2002 when the children of our community applied for caste certificates for admission into tribal schools, they were denied the same by the officials and were told that only Paroja Jhodias were tribals and we were not. But we all belong to the same category," alleged Daitari Jhodia, another leader of the community. According to her, withdrawing tribal status from their community is a well-executed conspiracy by the state government in nexus with the corporate houses to acquire their land for industries. "The problem started when industries came to our area and started acquiring land. As government is well aware that it is difficult to acquire tribal land, it slotted us as OBC," she alleged.

On the same demand, the Jhodias had also boycotted the General Elections in 2009. The community members alleged that they were deprived of various welfare programmes meant for tribals.

Social activists said there was no difference between Jhodias and Paroja Jhodias. Marriages take place between Paroja Jhodia and Jhodias. Jhajar Jhodia of the community was the first tribal to be elected as a legislator. Since long the Jhodias were enjoying tribal status. Withdrawing the tribal status from them is unfair.

Admitting that the tribal status is a long-standing demand of the Jhodias, the collector said, "The administration has recommended the government to include the Jhodias under the tribal category. No, something could be done only at a higher level."

The Times of India, 16 February, 2011, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Count-us-as-tribals-or-dont-count-us-at-all-Jhodia-tribals/articleshow/7504892.cms


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