Dangaria Kandhas Tribals Or SEBC? Questions Raised Over Odisha CMO Tweet

Bhubaneswar: Dangaria Kandhas, known for their unique traditions and culture, are among the 62 different tribal groups living in Odisha. Members of this community speak Kui language, while their dress and behavior are different from others.

Dangaria Kandhas, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribe Group (PVTG), live in the terrains of Niyamagiri hill ranges in Rayagada and Kalahandi district.

However, questions are now being raised over their identity and classification. On the April 24, the state Cabinet decided to include 22 castes/communities in the list of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). The Cabinet approved the proposed Amendment of the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (OSCBC) Act, 1993 enabling the state government to implement this.

Following the Cabinet decision, a tweet was posted by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) which has a picture of a Dangaria Khanda woman.

Tribal leaders have raised questions over CMO’s tweet and sought to know as to why a Dangaria Khanda’s photo featured in the post about SEBC.

Strongly opposing the development, General Secretary of Kui Samaj, Lambodar Kanhar said it is unfortunate that such misleading posts find place in CMO’s oficial twitter account.

Lashing out at the government. he said the government should correct the error immediately. Dangaria Kandhas are tribals and belong to PVTG, not SEBCs, he said, adding that the manner in which a Dangaria Kandha’s photo has been posted amounts to  an insult to us and to all the tribals.

Kanhar warned that if the government fails to correct the mistake, there will be agitation in every district of the state.

Voicing similar views, noted tribal leader Sonu Anugu said, “Dangaria Kandhas are not SEBC”. They are primitive tribes. By presenting Dangaria Kandhas as SEBC, the CMO has shown disresepct to the members of the tribal group.”

Now, many wonder whether the Chief Minister’s office does not know which community or group the Dangaria Kandhas belong to? If it was a mistake committed inadvertently, then why is the CMO not correcting it even after 48 hours?