Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka

WHY IN NEWS?

Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019.

About Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019.

• It seeks to include the Parivara and the Taliwara communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category to ensure they get a reservation and other benefits provided by the government.
• The Siddi tribes of Belagavi and Dharwad would also be included in the category apart from those living in the Uttar Kannada districts of Karnataka.
• The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2019 and it will amend Part VI of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, that specifies the tribal and tribal communities which are deemed to be Scheduled Tribes.
• Part VI of the order contains the list of Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka.
• The Siddi community is also known by different synonyms such as Habshi and Badsha.
• It is believed that they are of African origin because they clearly show the Negroid racial strain in their physical features.
• Descendants of Bantu people of East Africa, Siddi ancestors were largely brought to India as slaves by Arabs as early as the 7th Century, followed by the Portuguese and the British later on.
• They are included in the Centre’s list of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
• Previously they depended on hunting and gathering but at present, their main source of livelihood is labour and agriculture.

Prelims Question

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Siddi community:
1.They are indigenous tribal community of Karnataka only.
2.They are included in the Centre’s list of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)Both 1 and 2
d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question