Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday announced the setting up of a special board for the welfare of nomadic and Vimukta castes.
While participating in the Vimukta Jati Diwas celebrations here, he said that along with this welfare board, the government would also work on a plan to provide colonies and housing facilities to people belonging to these communities.
Extending his greetings on Vimukta Jati Diwas, the Chief Minister said that communities such as Nat, Banjara, Bavariya, Sasi, Kanjar, Kalbelia, Sapera and Jogi were among the brave castes of the country who fought as warriors during foreign invasions.
He recalled that these castes fought with indomitable courage—sometimes against the Mughals and at other times against the British.
The Chief Minister said that the British, fearing their valour, enacted the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871 and declared these communities as “born criminals.”
Even after independence, this stigma persisted until 1952. Due to the efforts of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, these castes were freed from this discriminatory law on August 31, 1952.
Adityanath said that *Vimukta Jati Diwas* reminds us of that historic moment when these communities truly understood the meaning of freedom. He added that over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both the Central and State Governments have sincerely worked for the welfare of Vimukta and nomadic castes, particularly in education and housing.
He informed that Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalayas are being run in nine districts, two residential Ashram schools have been started, and 101 residential schools are already operational. These institutions provide complete facilities for students—from accommodation and food to uniforms. Additionally, special facilities are being provided to the children of Vimukta castes in 264 government-run Scheduled Caste hostels.
Citing the example of the Vantangiya community, the Chief Minister said that his government granted them the status of revenue villages, gave them voting rights, and provided houses, schools, and hospitals.
Similar welfare schemes were extended to castes such as Musahar, Kol, Tharu, Gaur, Chero, and Saharia. Communities like Kumhar, Nishad, and Rajbhar have also benefitted from government initiatives.
He further announced that Vimukta and nomadic castes would also be given land leases and voting rights.
In this context, he directed Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun, from the stage itself, to set up a welfare board for nomadic castes. He assured that schemes would be implemented for them on the lines of the Shamli and Vantangiya models.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that many young men and women from nomadic castes have recently been selected in state police recruitment, which, he said, is proof that the government is providing equal opportunities to all sections without discrimination.