Numerous tribes in Punjab that were proclaimed "criminal" by the British were declared as scheduled castes in 1952. These groups, living in miserable conditions in an otherwise prosperous state, have been asking for tribal status as they are placed at a disadvantage in the present caste-based reservation system. A number of suggestions have been made to the government to consider the anomalies in identifying and characterising these groups. Their condition is worsening, occasionally breaking out into open protest, the Meena-Gujjar conflict in Rajasthan being an example. The 27 per cent reservation to the Other Backward Classes is likely to intensify the demands of these communities.
