Ethnographic study suggests political, economic support measures for Nadaf, Pinjara communities
Bengaluru: An ethnographic study has recommended a range of political, economic, educational and health-related interventions to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Nadaf and Pinjara communities, sub-groups within the Muslim community classified under the most backward category of the OBC list in Karnataka.
As per a report published by Deccan Herald, the year-long study was conducted by a team led by anthropology professor T T Basavangouda of Karnatak University. The study proposes measures like political reservation from local bodies to Parliament, government-supported group housing, health safeguards for workers, and dedicated scholarships and financial assistance for students, artists and sportspersons. The study was carried out at a cost of ₹45.46 lakh, as reported by Deccan Herald.
According to the report, while most Muslim sub-groups fall under Category 2B of the OBC list, communities such as Nadafs, Pinjaras, Bazigars and Darvesh are placed in Category 1, which comprises the most backward communities. Traditionally engaged in cotton carding, members of the Nadaf and Pinjara communities are increasingly moving to other occupations due to economic constraints and livelihood challenges.
The study groups its recommendations under economic, educational, health and political-social parameters. It suggests modernising cotton carding through skill-based training, providing land for constructing ventilated godowns to enable employment generation, and facilitating access to alternative livelihoods. On the education front, the report calls for scholarships, monthly financial assistance for sportspersons, remedial education programmes and counselling services to address the high dropout rate.
It has also urged the government to relocate families from these communities living in slum areas to cleaner residential environments and to launch awareness campaigns on occupational health risks, including respiratory and lung diseases caused by prolonged exposure to cotton particles.
The report was submitted to the Vice-Chancellor of the university on Friday and is set to be forwarded to the D Devaraj Urs Research Institute under the Backward Classes Welfare Department, after which it will be placed before the state government for consideration.
Similar ethnographic studies have also been commissioned for eight nomadic communities listed under the OBC category, including Shikkaligar, Gopala, Baazigar, Nandiwaala-Joshi-Pulmaal, Geesadi, Haavadiga, Gaarudiga and Bailu Pattara. Nomadic communities in Karnataka are represented across the OBC, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe lists.
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Bantwal: Seven students seriously injured as car climbs on divider, hits power pole, topples on NH
Bantwal: Seven students sustained serious injuries in an accident that reportedly occurred in Maripalla near Farangipet in the taluk as the driver of the car lost control and climbed onto a road divider before hitting a power pole installed on the divider.
The accident is said to have occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday. The injured students, including four girls and three boys, are reportedly from Udupi.
They were traveling Mangaluru to BC Road on the National Highway when the driver lost control over the vehicle, resulting in the accident. The car reportedly hit the power pole, dragged it along for a distance and then overturned on the road.
Eyewitnesses have said that the overturned car was lifted and injured students were immediately taken to the Fr. Muller Hospital in Thumday with the help of locals.
Police officers have visited the accident site and also took further action.
