Hattis get ST tag

Context: The state government of Himachal Pradesh has finally issued notification to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Hatti community of Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district.

Background: The residents of the Trans-Giri area were demanding ST status on the lines of the Jaunsar-Bawar area of  . Uttarakhand granted in 1967 itself. Both Trans-Giri and Jaunsar Bawar area had remained part of erstwhile Sirmaur princely state and have similarity in all aspects.

About Hattis:

The Hattis form a tightly-knit community, earning their name from the practice of selling locally produced vegetables, crops, meat, and wool at small markets referred to as 'haats' in towns. During ceremonial events, Hatti men traditionally wear a distinctive white headgear.

• Geographically, the Hatti homeland spans the Himachal-Uttarakhand border within the Giri and Tons river basins, both tributaries of the Yamuna.
• The Tons river delineates the border between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Hattis residing in the trans-Giri area of Himachal Pradesh and Jaunsar Bawar in Uttarakhand were originally part of Sirmaur's royal estate until Jaunsar Bawar's separation in 1814.
• The community comprises two clans, one in Trans-Giri and the other in Jaunsar Bawar, sharing similar traditions, with inter-marriages being common.
• Despite this unity, a fairly rigid caste system is prevalent, with the Bhat and Khash considered upper castes and the Badhois placed below them, discouraging inter-caste marriages.
• The Hattis are governed by a traditional council called 'khumbli,' akin to Haryana's 'khaps,' which makes decisions on community matters. Despite the establishment of the Panchayati raj system, the Khumbli's authority remains unchallenged.
• Politically, the Hattis have a significant presence in approximately nine Assembly seats in the Sirmaur and Shimla regions.
• According to the 2011 Census of India, the tribal population in Himachal Pradesh, including the Hattis, constitutes 5.7% of the state's total population, numbering 3,92,126.

Demands:

• Their key demand revolves around seeking Scheduled Tribe status, a demand that has persisted since 1967. This appeal stems from the precedent set when tribal status was granted to residents of Jaunsar Bawar in Uttarakhand, an area sharing a border with the Sirmaur district.
• The primary issue prompting this demand is the topographical disadvantages faced by the Hattis residing in the Kamrau, Sangrah, and Shilliai regions of Himachal Pradesh. These geographical challenges have resulted in a lag in both education and employment opportunities for this community.

Status of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in India:

• In the context of India, Scheduled Tribes (ST) were initially termed as "backward tribes" residing in the "Excluded" and "Partially Excluded" areas, as per the Census of 1931.
• The Government of India Act of 1935 marked the first instance calling for representation of "backward tribes" in provincial assemblies.
• While the Constitution doesn't explicitly define the criteria for recognizing Scheduled Tribes, the 1931 Census definition was utilized in the initial post-independence years. However, Article 366(25) of the Constitution outlines the process for defining Scheduled Tribes: "Scheduled Tribes means such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this Constitution."
• Under Article 342(1), the President, with consultation with the Governor in the case of a State, may specify tribes, tribal 
• communities, or parts thereof as Scheduled Tribes for a particular State or Union Territory through a public notification.
• Currently, there are over 705 tribes that have been notified, with Odisha having the largest number of tribal communities.
• The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution addresses the Administration and Control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Additionally, the Sixth Schedule pertains to the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.