Muslim nomadic tribes seek headcount

Though,theoretically,Islam does not have it,profession-based caste system is very much there like in most other religions in India,” said Syed Iqbal Ismail Painter from Sangathak Bhatke Vimukt Anusuchit Jaati,Janjati.

Members of 18 nomadic Muslims tribes of Maharashtra attended the meet at Indian Institute of Education in Kothrud. Representatives of various nomadic tribes discussed the issue of a caste-based census under the umbrella group Muslim Anusuchti Jati Janjati,Bhatke Vimukt Samaj Vikas Manch.

The most common problem discussed was the lack of proper recognition of their castes and sub-castes which create an obstacle for them in gaining access to education and jobs.

According to a rough estimate,there are over 4 lakh nomads in Maharashtra but there is no official record of their total number.

Syed Mohamed Ghodegaon,president,Pragatisheel Muslim Alpasankhyak Bhatke,Vimukt Jati Dharmaday Sevabhav Sanshodhan Sansthan,said,”When we go to schools seeking admissions for our children,they simply write ‘Muslim’ in the slot for caste. Most nomadic tribes do not have a caste certificate and are left out in all caste documentation.”

Razia Patel of Rachna Vikas said this has been a propaganda encouraged by Muslim political and religious leadership and the backlash is being faced by nomadic tribes,who are the minority among the minority — Muslims. While Muslim leaders refuse to acknowledge the presence of caste-based problems in the community,non-Muslim leaders also shy away from the issue calling it a sensitive issue. So,an essentially caste-based social problem of discrimination and marginalisation takes a religious/communal colour due to certain manipulations,said Patel.

“Most of these tribes have traditionally been madaris who use snakes,monkeys and bears for street performances,popularly known as tamasha. But now with animal rights groups opposing this practice,they have lost their livelihood and there has been no rehabilitation. In sharp contrast,we have the racing season in Pune,which involves an obscene amount of money on horse races”,said Patel.

At the end of the meet,a set of demands were listed like opportunity to avail of the caste-based reservation as guaranteed by the constitution so that they do not face problems in areas as basic as getting a ration card,a school/college admission or trying for a position in the police department — all of which are difficult in the absence of a caste certificate. They plan to present their demands to the state and central government.