Introduction
The term “tribe” has been used historically to describe indigenous, autochthonous, and often isolated communities living in different regions of the world. In India, tribes represent a significant section of the population with distinct cultural, linguistic, and social identities. They are recognized under the Indian Constitution as Scheduled Tribes (STs) and are entitled to various protections and benefits for their development and integration into mainstream society. This answer explores the general definition of a tribe and examines how the Indian Constitution conceptualizes and defines tribes.
Definition of Tribe
The term “tribe” is not defined precisely in the Indian Constitution, but various scholars and administrative reports have provided working definitions based on socio-cultural and economic characteristics.
- Anthropological Perspective: A tribe is a social group, usually living in a definite geographical area, with common culture, language, belief systems, and often economic practices like shifting cultivation, hunting, or pastoralism.
- Imperial Administrative Perspective: British colonial rulers classified tribal communities based on their geographical isolation and non-assimilation into Hindu caste society.
Some common characteristics of tribes include:
- Distinct language and dialects
- Unique religious and cultural practices
- Social organization based on kinship
- Economic activity often based on subsistence agriculture, forest produce, and animal husbandry
- Relative isolation from mainstream society
Tribes under the Indian Constitution
Although the Constitution does not define “tribe,” it uses the term “Scheduled Tribes” in various Articles. The identification and classification of Scheduled Tribes are left to the discretion of the President, who notifies the list of STs for each state and union territory.
Relevant Constitutional Provisions
- Article 342: Empowers the President to declare certain communities as Scheduled Tribes after consultation with the Governor of the respective state.
- Fifth Schedule: Applies to areas where STs reside in large numbers (mostly central and western India). It provides for Tribal Advisory Councils and special governance mechanisms.
- Sixth Schedule: Applicable to tribal areas of the Northeast (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram), allowing for Autonomous District and Regional Councils.
- Article 15 & 16: Prohibits discrimination and provides for affirmative action in education and employment for STs.
- Article 46: Directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of SCs and STs.
- Article 275: Provides grants-in-aid to states for promoting tribal welfare.
Criteria for Identification of Scheduled Tribes
Though not mentioned explicitly in the Constitution, the Lokur Committee (1965) laid down the following criteria for recognizing a community as ST:
- Primitive traits
- Geographical isolation
- Distinct culture
- Shyness of contact with the larger community
- Backwardness (economic and educational)
Based on these criteria, more than 700 tribes have been recognized as Scheduled Tribes across India.
Challenges with Constitutional Definition
- Many deserving communities remain outside the ST list due to political and bureaucratic delays.
- In some cases, communities with better socio-economic status misuse the ST status.
- The criteria used (like “primitive traits”) are outdated and considered derogatory today.
Conclusion
The concept of tribe in India is both sociological and constitutional. While the term lacks a precise legal definition, the Indian Constitution provides for special recognition and protection through the category of Scheduled Tribes. These provisions aim to safeguard tribal identities and promote their inclusion and development. However, the evolving nature of tribal identities and the socio-political dynamics around recognition demand a more nuanced and updated understanding of tribal communities in modern India.