The Backstory of Kudmis' Struggle for ST Status

• The Kurmi community was removed from the ST list in 1950 and subsequently classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• In 2004, the Jharkhand government advocated for their re-inclusion in the ST list, a recommendation that was unfortunately rejected by the Central Government.
• The Tribal Development Department of the state government reports that the tribal population constitutes about 5.8% of the total population of the state.

Understanding the Kurmi Community

• Kurmis are primarily a farming community, owning significant tracts of land. Their status, however, varies across different states.
• While they are classified as OBCs in most states, Kurmis residing in West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand are advocating for their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category.

Insights into the Kurmali Language

• The Kurmali language, primarily spoken by the Kurmi community in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, is part of the Indo-Aryan language family.
• The language has its unique script known as "Kurmi Kudali," a modified version of the Devanagari script.
• The Kurmi community wants their language to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which currently recognizes 22 languages.

Procedure for Inclusion in the ST List

• The procedure for a community to be included in the ST list was established in 1999.
• The respective State or Union Territory government must initiate the proposal for inclusion. This proposal is then forwarded to the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry and subsequently to the Office of the Registrar General of India.
• If the Office of the Registrar General of India approves the inclusion, the proposal is then sent to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. If they concur, the proposal is forwarded to the Cabinet for amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

Advantages of Inclusion in the ST List in India

• Reservation in Educational Institutions
• Quota in Government Jobs
• Reserved Seats in Political Representation
• Economic and Social Development Initiatives
• Protection of Land and Cultural Resources
• Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Identity

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