Mobilisation for a column on denotified tribes in Census forms picks up pace

Denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribes (DNTs) in north India are demanding a separate column for their communities in the upcoming 2027 Census. Mohit Tomar, a community organizer from Uttar Pradesh, established the Central Joint Action Committee of DNTs (CJAC-DNT) to coordinate this demand and has written letters to various government officials including the President, Prime Minister, and Registrar General of India. The CJAC-DNT is also calling for Constitutional recognition, a Gazette notification specifying DNT communities, a permanent national commission for these groups, and 10% horizontal reservation in Central jobs and education. Community leaders across the country have also sent letters to the Census Commissioner, requesting a meeting to discuss their demand for a separate column in the Census forms.