Udaipur, 20 November (Udaipur Kiran)। Lok Sabha MP Dr Mannalal Rawat has written to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal seeking constitutional clarity on the eligibility of tribal groups who changed religion or culture after the 1951 Census but continue to enjoy Scheduled Tribe (ST) benefits.

In his letter, Dr Rawat notes that the Government of India has established five criteria to identify scheduled tribes: primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographic isolation, reluctance to interact broadly, and backwardness. These form the basis for recognition of communities under Article 342 of the Constitution. He emphasises that “distinctive culture” is built on faith, traditions and a communal way of life — and if such culture ceases to exist, ST status should lapse.

Dr Rawat points out that during the 1951 Census, many individuals belonging to tribal groups were recorded as Hindus, but in later enumerations their religion changed to “Other Religion” or another faith. He argues that this indicates a change in their original cultural identity. As a result, he contends, they do not meet the “distinctive culture” criterion and therefore lose claim to ST recognition — though in practice they continue to access the benefits of ST status.

Several such groups have been identified in Rajasthan and other states. In his Udaipur-area Lok Sabha constituency, villages such as Pai (Girva block) and Kagdar (Rishabhdev block) are cited as examples. Dr Rawat references Supreme Court and Guwahati High Court judgements, including Kerala State v. Chandramohan N (AIR 1972) and Ivanlangki & Rimbi v. Tribal Hills (28 March 2006) that he says support the principle that cultural change may invalidate ST status.

He asks the Law Minister to issue constitutional clarity that individuals or communities who, after the 1951 Census, changed the religion recorded (from Hindu) or their cultural identity will automatically lose ST status. He also suggests use of census data from the Registrar General & Census Commissioner to identify affected cases.

Dr Rawat underlines the need for a definitive decision because multiple cases still rely on dated 1951 Census entries to claim ST benefits amid a changed cultural status.

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