New Delhi, December 12, 2025: The Delhi Government has reaffirmed its commitment to recognising and honouring the historical contributions of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities, with plans underway to organise a grand celebration on the birth anniversary of Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara. The announcement was made on Friday by Delhi’s Minister for Social Welfare, SC/ST/OBC Welfare, Cooperation and Elections, Ravinder Indraj Singh, following a meeting with representatives of these communities at the Delhi Secretariat.
During the interaction, representatives of Denotified (DNT), Nomadic (NT) and Semi-Nomadic (SNT) communities presented a range of suggestions aimed at improving their living standards, protecting their rights and strengthening their social and economic empowerment. The meeting focused on long-standing concerns related to recognition, welfare delivery and inclusion of these communities in mainstream development.
Addressing the delegation, Ravinder Indraj said the Delhi Government is fully committed to giving due honour to the heroes and historical figures of the DNT, NT and SNT communities and ensuring that their legacy is passed on to future generations. He said that just as a state-level celebration was organised for the birth anniversary of Veerangana Jhalkari Bai, the government is now actively considering hosting a similarly grand and dignified event in Delhi on the birth anniversary of Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara.
The minister said the government welcomes all constructive suggestions related to such revered personalities and aims to ensure that their contributions are formally recognised at the state level. He emphasised that celebrating such icons is not only a matter of cultural pride but also an important step towards restoring historical justice to communities that have remained marginalised for decades.
Highlighting the life and legacy of Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara, Ravinder Indraj said he was not only a trader but also a civil contractor, transporter and a distinguished social worker. Baba Lakhi Shah played a key role in providing employment to lakhs of people and was instrumental in establishing several villages in Delhi, including Raisina, Narela, Barakhamba and Malcha.
He further noted that Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara is remembered with deep reverence for risking his life to ensure the dignified cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at a time when fear and oppression prevailed. His act of courage and sacrifice, the minister said, remains one of the most inspiring chapters in Indian history and deserves wider public recognition.
During the meeting, community representatives raised several important issues concerning the welfare and rights of DNT, NT and SNT groups. These included demands for the timely issuance of caste and identity certificates, the formation of a dedicated Development Board for these communities, and stronger protection for housing and temporary shelters.
The representatives also sought government support for promoting traditional occupations through the establishment of ‘Haat Bazaars’, which would provide community members a platform to sell their products and secure sustainable livelihoods. Education-related demands featured prominently, with calls for the expansion of scholarship schemes, hostel facilities and access to coaching centres for competitive examinations.
Responding to these concerns, the Social Welfare Minister assured the delegation that the Delhi Government remains committed to working continuously towards the empowerment and social justice of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities. He said the issues raised during the meeting would be examined seriously, and necessary steps would be taken in coordination with concerned departments to ensure effective implementation of welfare measures.
Ravinder Indraj stated that the government’s priority is to bring these communities into the development mainstream by ensuring access to education, employment opportunities and social security. He added that inclusive growth cannot be achieved unless historically marginalised groups are given equal opportunities and institutional support.
Officials present said the meeting reflects the Delhi Government’s effort to maintain direct dialogue with community stakeholders and formulate policies based on ground-level feedback. The interaction was also seen as a step towards strengthening trust between the government and communities that have long felt excluded from policy-making processes.
Those present at the meeting included Dharmbeer Singh Gurjar, Secretary of the DNT Development Foundation, Kavita Rathore, Advocate Anju Tanwar, Surendra Singh Rathore, Coordinator of the Akhil Bharatiya Lakhera Samaj Seva Sangathan, along with other members of various community organisations.
The Delhi Government said it will continue such engagements in the future to ensure that the concerns of Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities are addressed in a structured and time-bound manner, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive governance and social equity.
