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Salt farming scheduled caste of India

The Aghariya, or Agariya is a schedule caste community title of Chunvalia Kolis who are salt farmers in Kutch district of Gujarat, India.

The Aghariya community have been producing salt for centuries, contributing approximately 30% of India’s inland salt. Historically, they owned the lands they worked on, but in 1973, the Gujarat government declared the Little Rann of Kutch a protected area under the Wild Ass Sanctuary. This decision aimed to conserve the endangered Indian wild ass and its unique habitat but also resulted in the transfer of land ownership rights to the state. The reclassification of the region as a wildlife sanctuary prohibited private land ownership and traditional activities considered disruptive to conservation efforts, thereby restricting Aghariya community of salt farming practices and exacerbating their economic and social vulnerabilities. In 2019, Koli Agariyas faced the great loss of salt trade because of the trade war between China and the United States of America.

They were listed as a Criminal Tribe under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 by British Indian government because of their rebellions against British rule in India.

The Aghariya community demanding recognition as farmers and an assurance that they have a legal right on Little Rann of Kutch land for salt farming to get the benefit like agriculture farmers such as money package and relief for natural calamities like flood.

Clans

Here are some of the clans used by Aghariya title holder Kolis of Kutch,

Classification

The Aghariya community, part of the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, is a small yet dynamic group known for their resilience and cultural heritage. While traditionally associated with the Waghri or Devipujak community, they have adapted to modern socioeconomic changes, often migrating from rural areas to cities in search of better educational, professional, and business opportunities. This shift has contributed to their growing presence in urban centers, where they are making strides in various fields while maintaining their cultural roots.

Organisations

  • Agariya Hitrakshak Manch

References

  1. Chandra, Kavita Kanan (24 February 2017). "The salt farmers of wild ass country". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  2. ^ Kaur, Ravleen. "Gujarat's plan to build Asia's biggest freshwater lake is a threat to the Aghariya community as salt workers". Scroll.in. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  3. "Gujarat Salt Industry Hit By US-China Trade War". Forbes India. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  4. "Education in the Desert: Field Notes from the Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat - Bhavna Harchandani". Doing Sociology. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  5. "Research sweetens deal for saltpan workers". The Indian Express. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  6. "Lok Sabha polls: Post-Rahul Gandhi visit, Congress all set to hand over salt-pan workers to BJP on platter". Counterview. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
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