Rajasthan Government to Establish Committee for Caste Record Corrections
In a significant move, Revenue Minister Hemant Meena informed the Rajasthan Assembly on Monday that the state will constitute a dedicated committee to resolve issues related to caste entries in the revenue records of displaced Bengali-speaking families residing in the Kishanganj constituency. These families, many of whom migrated in 1971 from West Pakistan, now Bangladesh, due to persecution, have long faced challenges in accessing welfare schemes.
Addressing Deprivation of Scheduled Caste Benefits
During the Question Hour, Minister Meena responded to supplementary queries raised by MLA Lalit Meena, highlighting that several displaced families have been unable to obtain Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates. As a result, they are being deprived of crucial benefits under welfare schemes specifically designed for the SC category. The minister emphasized the urgency of this matter, noting that it affects the livelihoods and rights of these communities.
The committee will comprise key officials including the district collector, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), and tehsildar. Their primary task will be to thoroughly examine the issue and, through due process, review the term "Bengali" as recorded in revenue documents. Necessary corrections will be made to accurately reflect the actual caste of the concerned families, ensuring they receive the entitlements they deserve.
Clarification on Linguistic Identity vs. Caste
Minister Meena clarified that "Bengali" is a linguistic identity and not a specific caste. He stated that if old revenue records indicate that these families belong to castes listed under Rajasthan's Scheduled Caste category, corrections will be carried out in accordance with established rules. "Directions in this regard will be issued to district collectors," he added, underscoring the government's commitment to procedural fairness.
In his written reply to the original question, Meena provided detailed context. He explained that in Paraniya and Ghatti Nehrupara villages of Kishanganj tehsil, agricultural land allotted to displaced Bengali families by the Rehabilitation Department was recorded in revenue documents, known as Jamabandi, under the caste entry "Bengali." The families have sought the inclusion of their caste, "Namoshudra," in the SC category, citing similarities with castes such as Chandal, Shikari, and Dhobi, which are already listed under the SC category in Rajasthan.
Challenges with Namoshudra Caste Inclusion
However, the social justice and empowerment department's official SC list in Rajasthan does not currently include the Namoshudra caste. Since Namoshudra is not part of the state's SC list, SC certificates cannot be issued to members of this community at present. The minister noted that no proposal for the inclusion of Namoshudra in the SC category is under consideration at this time, highlighting a potential barrier to immediate resolution.
This development underscores the ongoing efforts by the Rajasthan government to address historical injustices and ensure equitable access to welfare schemes for marginalized communities. The formation of the committee marks a proactive step towards reviewing and rectifying caste records, which could have far-reaching implications for the affected families in Kishanganj and beyond.
