Over 550 people from Katkari tribe get caste certificates

These families, who have been left without gram panchayat recognition, have been pressing for their merger into nearby village, Bhorghar. Their lack of recognition has deprived them of basic rights and benefits for years except the voting rights.

Over 550 people from Katkari tribe were given caste certificates in a special ceremony held at the Hutatma Nagya Mahadu Katkari Community Development Centre in Male village, Mulshi Taluka, Pune as part of a drive conducted by Jantaiya Kalyan Ashram, supported by Pune-based Rohan builders on Thursday.

Earlier, The Indian Express had reported on October 8 about the plight of 45 Katkari adivasi families, displaced since the construction of Dimbhe dam in the Ambegaon taluka in 1980s. These families, who have been left without gram panchayat recognition, have been pressing for their merger into nearby village, Bhorghar. Their lack of recognition has deprived them of basic rights and benefits for years except the voting rights.

Speaking at the special ceremony, Sudhir Bhagwat, block development officer of Mulshi taluka, along with Dr Pravin Dabadghav, Suhas Lunkad, and Vartika Bhatewara from Rohan Builders, emphasised the importance of these caste certificates in accessing education, healthcare and government welfare schemes.

Pravin Dabadghav highlighted the community’s rich historical significance, noting their contributions to the Hindavi Swaraj under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and their ongoing legacy of patriotism. He called on the younger generation of the Katkari community to pursue education and work towards improving their quality of life.

Suhas Lunkad of Rohan Builders spoke of the organization’s previous efforts, stating, “Earlier, we helped over 800 individuals from the Katkari community obtain caste certificates and Aadhaar cards. We are also assisting 55 families in Mugaon village by providing homes, with each family receiving a government grant of Rs 1.2 lakh. We are contributing the remaining funds for construction and so far, 35 houses are completed, with the rest expected to be finished by the end of this year.”

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

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