Wheather the aheria community is under the scheduled caste?

Answer 1

Yes .Aheria community is under the SC in Delhi State and we want this cast all over the India.Following question was being asked in 1991 Parliament .

(iv) Need to recognise Aheria, Bahellia etc. as Scheduled Caste all over the country.

[Translation]

DR. LAL BAHADUR RAWAL (Hathras): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to bring to the notice of this House the pitiable conditions of the some of the castes such as Aheria, Baheilia Karwal, Pasi etc. who had not accepted even the suzerainty of the English and Muslim rulers.

They are the people who had been oppressed by the English ruler. The Central Government has categorised some of these castes under the Scheduled Caste and some under the Vimukta Caste. These castes are mainly the sub-castes of Aheria which has been recognised some- 354 Matters under Rule 377

where as Scheduled Caste and somewhere as Vimukta caste. So the persons belonging to these castes are deprived of the facilities granted to the Scheduled Castes are deprived of the facilities granted to the Scheduled Castes at many places. In Delhi, these castes have been recognized as the Scheduled Castes but they have been enlisted under the Vimukta castes in Uttar Pradesh where their population is about 20 lakhs they are about 5 crores in whole India.

13.13 hrs.

[MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

I would like to mention that these castes were categorised as Scheduled Castes and Vimukta Castes during the post independence period and even after independence till 1952. Due to some unknown reason they were separated from the Scheduled Caste lists of there (that State). The Criminal Tribe Act (the Jarayam Pesha Act) of 1871 was imposed on them. It was revoked on 31st August, 1952.

I, therefore, request the Central Government to include these castes and Vimukta castes either in the category of Scheduled Castes or in the category of Scheduled Tribes so that they may be able to improve their wretched condition through the Government's Aids. If it is not possible, then all the facilities being given to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes should be given to them also.

Answer 2

No, the Aheria community is classified as Other Backward Class (OBC) in India, not as a Scheduled Caste. They are traditionally leather workers and are considered socially and economically backward.