Koraput: Members of Banabasi Kamar (blacksmith) community in Koraput district submitted a memorandum to sub-collector Benudhar Sabar on Tuesday demanding tribal status.
“We have received the memorandum, and it will be sent to the chief minister’s office for necessary action,” the sub-collector said. The blacksmith community, comprising about 40,000 people, claims they were recognised as adivasis (hill tribes) during the British era but were reclassified as OBC and removed from the ST list in 1950.
“This reclassification has excluded us from govt welfare schemes, including education for our children in schools run by the SC and ST development department, despite our traditional livelihood of iron work and our struggles for survival due to penury,” said Bhagaban Golari, president of the community.
He said their culture, attire and practices align with the tribal way of life. “The Kumhar community encompasses sub-groups like Khila, Khara, Kumhar, Golari, Nayak, Pangi, Hantal and Burudi, which share a cultural and traditional harmony with recognised tribes. For the past 15 years, we have been demanding tribal recognition. But no concrete action has been taken till date,” said Golari.
Community members pointed out that neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and six other states have recognised their tribal status, and they urged Odisha govt to follow suit.