Constitutional Awareness among Schedule Tribe: An Empirical Study of Erukunda Thanda, Sankarpally Mandal, Telangana

The Constitution provides safeguards and guarantees for the all-round development of tribal communities, focusing on their social, economic, legal, and political rights. These safeguards, including laws and regulations, protect tribal communities, preserve India's cultural diversity, and promote equality and justice. Hence, the present study focuses on how Scheduled Tribes are aware of and utilize these protections. Erukunda Thanda (Tribal hamlet) in Shankarpally Mandal, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, was selected for the current empirical analysis. Using a simple random sampling method, 30 households were selected for the survey. We used a semi-structured interview schedule to gather information like the awareness level of the Banjaras Tribe on fundamental rights and various constitutional provisions. Over half of the survey participants reported unfamiliarity with the constitution. Half those knowledgeable about the Constitution knew of their fundamental rights and various constitutional provisions for their safeguards. Individuals who have completed their education and are employed in government positions demonstrate a strong understanding of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989. This underscores the importance of education in empowering individuals and enabling them to assert their rights. Hence, top priority may be accorded to accelerate literacy among the tribe through regular awareness about their various constitutional provisions and legislations for their protection and empowerment. The legal educational institutions' legal aid society can adopt the Thanda in their locality to conduct programs regularly to educate and empower them. Law students can serve and teach people to bring socio-legal inclusion to Society.