Banjaras (Gor) are the largest ethnic group in India with a population ranging between 8.5 crore and 10 crore, and are known across the country by at least 27 different names and 18 sub-groups, former Odiasha chief secretary of Odisha Ramachandrudu has said.
Speaking at the valedictory of the second National Banjara Professors Conference organised by the state chapter of National Banjara Professors Association at the Osmania University here on Sunday, he said “The tradition and culture of the community is the same across the country. We are not a typical tribal group living in the jungle. The Constitution has put us under the Scheduled Tribe category to protect us.” He said, “We do not have all the characteristics of a typical tribe. We are not untouchables. We are a tribe but not untouchables.”
Regretting lack of unity within the community, he said, “The problem of our community is lack of unity. I request all of you to infuse discipline and stay united. When the Telangana state will be formed, Banjaras will constitute 12 per cent of the population, a significant number.”
AIBSS founding-member and former member of Parliament D.Ravinder Naik said it was important to develop the community as well as human resource. “We are all capable of anything. There is no reason why we cannot succeed in developing our community,” he said.