'Education is the only way forward for the Pardhis'

In its latest report about the Phase Pardhi tribe in Maharashtra, which was branded criminals by the British and disallowed from developing, mid-day brings voices of tribal leaders from across the state. Meanwhile, at least two youth from the Phase Pardhi tribe are set to meet tribal rights activist Vivek Pandit regarding atrocities, police harassment, and social discrimination against the community.

The development comes after two consecutive mid-day reports last week about atrocities being faced by the tribe. Pandit, who is the chairman of a government-appointed committee to look into the status of schemes for tribals in Maharashtra, said that Phase Pardhi tribes have been trying to shrug off the ‘criminal' tag given by the British, but that they are not being allowed to mingle with the society.

Discrimination has also affected where Pardhis reside, relegating them to specific areas of cities

"The British had notified some communities as criminal tribes and Phase Pardhi was one of them. The British created settlements for them like ghettos, that is, they were compelled to stay in specific compounds. There was a certain settlement in Solapur. The Pardhis were not allowed to move out and were made slaves," Pandit said.

Pandit added that though the tribe was denotified after Independence, the society continues to treat them as criminals, especially in Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidharba. Many Pardhis living in other cities of Maharashtra still follow versions of rules that were imposed by the British - like building homes on specific roads assigned to them. In Mumbai and Thane, they were mostly found living under flyovers and outside railway stations.

Pardhis travelling on the backs of cattle

"The police continue to harass them, which is why Pardhis are not at home during the daytime," he added. "They did not get the opportunity to develop, remained out of school. They are always migrating. Many are in jail. I am not saying all are innocent, but due to their past, they are still treated as criminals," Pandit said. "The society and police face a challenge to change their approach towards Pardhis," Pandit said.

"The incidents that took place in Beed and Solapur are shameful. The government must safeguard Pardhis' rights. The upper castes are snatching the opportunities of the downtrodden. This is why I have called Phase Pardhi leaders from all districts for a meet on Sunday," Pandit said.

Leaders narrate ordeals

mid-day reached out to Phase Pardhi tribals who shared their stories. "My parents and I used to live in a jungle and rely on small birds and animals for sustenance. One day my father was arrested for stealing a handful of grain to feed us. He was jailed and the inmates suggested he educate us," said Matin Bhosale, who resigned as a Zilla Parishad teacher and has been running a school, ‘Prashnchinh' in Amravati district for Pardhi students.

Sunita Bhosale runs an NGO Kranti

"After I was admitted to a school, the teacher told the other students to keep their stationery safe lest I steal it," said Bhosale, who studied D.Ed from Adhyapan Vidhyalaya in Amravati. He joined as a teacher in a Zilla Parishad school in 2008 and started Prashnchinh in 2012. Today, it teaches 500 students up to Std X. All students are either orphans, have their parents in jail, or have been rescued from begging. "At least 95 per cent students are Pardhis and at least 50 students from the tribe pass Std X annually," Bhosale said.

Our kids doing well

The school's principal, Onkar Pawar, also a Pardhi, said, "All Pardhis have a unique eye colour. The police often pick them up and question why they are in a particular place. Can't we go to the market? We are hardworking and we will prove that we are not criminals. Our children are studying well and will do well in the future."

Sheela Tai Shinde is the president of Mahila Aghadi Phase Pardhi

Sunita Bhosale, 35, has been running an NGO ‘Kranti' and helping Phase Pardhis avail government schemes. "Most of us are landless and jobless without Ration cards, Aadhar cards, or bank accounts. Local politicals helped us get voter ID cards for their vested interests," Sunita said. "Illiteracy results in a narrow mindset among Pardhis. Children are forced into begging, child labour, and child marriage are common. I rescue such children and convince their parents to let them study,"

Bhosale said. She studied BA from Yashwant Rao Chavan Maharashtra Open University. She has written an autobiography, Vinchvache Tel, (Scorpion Oil) wherein she narrates the story of her father who faced police brutality and was later killed by villagers. Bhosale calls herself a feminist and said Pardhi women have to face multi-level atrocities. "Domestic violence is common among Pardhis," she said.

Sheela Tai Shinde from Nanded, who has been fighting against discrimination, said, "Only education can improve our social status. I studied up to Std IV but I have been encouraging the youth to study well." She is the president of Mahila Aghadi Phase Pardhi and rescues children who beg at traffic signals, in commercial places, and from child labour.

Many criminals reformed

Mumbai Crime Branch officers said that there have been no cases involving the tribe in the recent past and that many Phase Pardhis have reformed. Around 12 years ago, the police had formed squads to deal with Phase Pardhis involved in criminal activities. These teams also contributed to reforming the accused.

Marathwada is the base for Phase Pardhis who have surnames like Bhosale, Kale, and Sisodiya. There are many types of Pardhis like Gaay Pardhi, Dangar Pardhi, Raj Pardhi, Phase Pardhi, and simply, Pardhi. While Phase (trapped) Pardhis were known to be involved in robberies, Gaay (cow) Pardhis were known to steal from farms with the help of cows.