Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring a stable and dignified life for denotified and nomadic tribes, stressing that these communities need constitutional rights, justice and respect rather than sympathy. Speaking at the Shiv Sena Nomadic and Denotified Tribes Rights, Justice, and Development Convention 2026, Shinde recalled the historical discrimination faced by these communities under British rule. He noted that the Criminal Tribes Act had unjustly branded several working-class communities as “born criminals” and said August 31, 1952, marked their freedom from that stigma.

Shinde acknowledged that members of denotified and nomadic communities continue to face difficulties in obtaining caste certificates, voter IDs, ration cards and other identity documents. He also pointed to challenges related to housing, healthcare, education and employment, and assured the gathering that the Maharashtra government would support efforts to address these issues.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the focus should be on enabling members of these communities to progress through education, entrepreneurship and leadership. He listed initiatives including free coaching for competitive examinations, educational scholarships, health insurance, financial assistance for self-employment, skill development programmes and support for startups. He also pledged to strengthen the Vasantrao Naik Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes Development Corporation.

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Shinde announced that a nationwide movement would be launched by bringing together 52 nomadic and denotified tribes. He also proposed a large-scale cultural conclave to promote the traditional arts, handicrafts and cultural heritage of these communities while providing artists with greater recognition and financial support. He highlighted their historical contribution to the rural economy and urged the communities to maintain unity.

Invoking B.R. Ambedkar’s message of “Educate, Agitate, Organise”, Shinde called on young people from these communities to become change-makers and pursue opportunities across professions. He reiterated that the government’s development agenda includes farmers, workers and underprivileged sections, while stressing that the convention should lead to tangible improvements in the lives of denotified and nomadic communities.

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