Sociology-II

Unit-I
Scheduled Tribes and their place in the Indian
Society
(Study Material)

1. Difference between Tribe and Caste.

The acceptance of endogamy is more rigidly found in caste in comparison to the
tribe. A Tribe is a local group but a caste is a social group. In ancient Hindu
society, in order to use the benefits of division of labour, the caste system was
devised. But tribes grew from the feelings of unity among the people living in a
particular area. Tribals are not much conscious about the differences between
status but in caste greater degree of consciousness prevails. Caste is a social
association but tribe is a political association. In caste the individuals generally
pursue a definite occupation but tribals pursue all the occupations according to
their requirement.

2. Tribal Problems
1. The problem of geographical separation
2. Cultural Problems
Due to contact with other cultures, the tribal culture is undergoing a
revolutionary change. Due to influence of Christian missionaries the problem of
bilingualism has developed which led to indifference towards tribal language.
The tribal people are imitating western culture in different aspects of their social
life and leaving their own culture. It has led to degeneration of tribal life and
tribal arts such as dance, music and different types of craft.

3. Social Problems
4. Economic Problem
5. Educational Problems

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Educationally the tribal population is at different levels of development but
overall the formal education has made very little impact on tribal groups. Earlier
Government had no direct programme for their education. But in the subsequent
years the reservation policy has made some changes. There are many reasons
for low level of education among the tribal people: Formal education is not
considered necessary to discharge their social obligations. Superstitions and
myths play an important role in rejecting education. Most tribes live in abject
poverty. It is not easy for them to send their children to schools, as they are
considered extra helping hands. The formal schools do not hold any special
interest for the children. Most of the tribes are located in interior and remote
areas where teachers would not like to go from outside.

6. Problem of Health and Sanitation

7. Problem of Separatism
The divide and rule policy adopted by the British did a lot of damage to the
tribal community of India. The British superimposed their own administrative
patterns in the tribal areas and deprived the tribals of their traditional methods
of interacting with the people. The Criminal Tribes Act which the British
introduced gave an impression that the tribals were either criminals or anti
socials. The tribal groups such as Kolis, Mundas, Khasis, and Santals who
fought against the British were branded as dacoits and robbers. The British also
promoted missionary activities especially in the Central and North Eastern hills.
All these activities alienated tribals which continued even in the post
independent India.

3. Measures to Uplift Scheduled Tribes

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 1. Social Awareness
2. Assimilation
3. Isolation
4. Integration

4. Tribal Society & Law

Article 15: No discrimination.
Article 16: Equal opportunities.
Article 17:

Article 17 of the constitution abolished the practice of untouchability and made

its practice a punishable offence. But what does this particular term exactly
mean remained uncertain as it wasn’t defined in the Constitution. Article 35 of
the Indian Constitution (Article 35(a)(ii)) gave the Parliament the power to
make penal laws for the offences mentioned under Article 17. Consequently,
The Untouchability Offences Act of 1955 (renamed to The Protection of Civil
Liberties Act) was enacted which provided penalties for preventing a person
from entering a place of worship or from taking water from a tank or well.

Article 16(4), 320(4) and 335-Resveration in Employment

Articles 330, 332, 334-Seats reserved in legislatures
Article 19(5)-Can buy property
Article 275-Tribal welfare activities
Article 46-protects the economic and educational interests of the tribal's

5. Tribal Welfare Activities

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1. Constitutional Safeguards.
The Constitution of India provides for the special provisions relating to
Scheduled Tribes. Article 342 lays down that the President may by public
notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or part of or groups within
tribes or tribal communities or parts which shall for the purpose of this
Constitution deemed to be Scheduled Tribes….”.According to this provision,
President of India has specified these communities through Constitution
(Scheduled Tribes) order, 1950 S.R.0.570. Article 164 provides for a Ministry
of Tribal Welfare in each of the State of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa
which have large concentration of Scheduled Tribes population. These
Ministries are required to look after the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes in their
respective States (Mondal,

2. Economic Programmes and Facilities.

3. Educational Facilities.
4. Medical Facilities.
5. Research work into the problems of Tribal's.
6. Role of voluntary organizations.

6. Minorities Commission
Under Fundamental Rights Part III of Indian Constitution
Article 338 establishes the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes. The
Commission’s duty is to monitor the safeguards provided for Scheduled Castes
in the Constitution or any other law. Its duties also include investigating
complaints and participating in the planning process for the socio-economic
development of members of Scheduled Caste communities, while having all the
powers of a civil court during the process.

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7. Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Please go
through the Act)
The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was
one such law. It was implemented to address crimes and atrocities against
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, since the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was
inadequate to check the atrocities that were being committed against them.

The Scheduled Castes And the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,
1989

The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)

Amendment Act, 2015

The Act also made news in March 2018 after the Supreme Court issued
guidelines severely diluting its powers, including restraints on the arrests of
public official if they are accused under the Act.
The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation
Act was implemented in 2013, to end the primarily caste based employment of
people for manual scavenging, which involves entering pits, latrines, drains and
ditches to handle and clean waste, often including raw excreta.

8. Jai Singh vs Union of India, 1993 (Please read the

judgement).