Gowari: The hyphenated tribe waits for justice

Gowari: The hyphenated tribe waits for justice

                                                                                          

AMID ongoing race among castes, tribes and classes for reservations and facilities in government jobs and in the field of education. Gowari tribe, fighting to get ST status in Maharashtra, especially in Vidarbha. has been constantly neglected despite several agitations. Shantaram   Ram  of Adivas Gowari Vikas Sanstha said, apathetic government, wrong interpretations of government rules, orders and directives by bureaucrats and ambiguous phraseology used in the letters are all causing delay in government decision to include the tribe in the 1 ist of STs. The hyphen mark between 'Gond' and 'Gowari' in stead of a comma in the list of STs seems to have created new community in the eyes of the government. Neither their inclusion in OBCs nor SBCs can do any justice to the Gowaris.

"We lost 114 agitators on November 23. 1994 during winter session of assembly in Nagpur." he said.In fact. Good and Gowaris both are tribes having striking cultural resemblances and both should be given certificates as STs till revision of the list and amendment to that effect takes place. The government distinguishes Gowaris from Gond-Gowaris and considers them as 'an advanced community in Vidarbha", which is absolutely unjust, he added.

There are either Gonds or Gowarisand both of liiem discerningly establish tribal status as per their characteristics   and affinity whiuhe main caste'Goods.

Gond-Gowari caste cannot be iraced out from the available records from 1869 to 1950. The caste certificates being issued 50 years ago also refer Gowaris or Gowara as a tribe. At present, die population of Gowaris in Vidarbha itself isover 20 lakh, he informed. Alludinu the letter No. BC-12016/11/84-SC & BCD.I.(R-Cell)  dt   22.5.1984   by   Y   P Marwaha. Research Officer. Ministry of Home Affairs. Shantarant Ram said. although the letter makes it clear that Gond and tribe can alone be considered as tribals and issued certificates.

The modified reply dated 16.8.1988 says. "... in Maharashtra (here are two kinds of Gowari communities -- one which can establish its affinity and relationship with the main 'Gond" - Gond-Gowari and another community 'Gowari' which is an advanced community in the Vidarbha. The later Gowari community does not possess any tribal characteristics and therefore can be treated as Scheduled Tribe (ST)   In  other  words.   'Gond Gowari' and Gowari are rwo distinct communities and the former being tribal and the later being non-tribal having no relationship wiih each oilier either socially or culturally."

In view of the position as explained above only 'Gond Gowari'. who can establish the affinity and relationship with the main tribe 'Gond' can alone be considered as tribal and given caste certificates. Persons belonging to Gowari community who do not have affinity and relationship with the main 'Gonds  tribe cannot get certificates as Scheduled Tribes, he said.

While pointing out incongruity in the letter Raut said, it is remarkable that in the sentence of the first paragraph -- 'The later Gowari community does not possess any tribal characteristics and therefore can (?) be treated as Scheduled Tribess  the word 'not' is missing. Apari from above mentioned documents we have several documentary proofs to support our claim on ST status and we are determined to keep our struggle Oil till the justice is done, Raul said.

Posted in: News 2014