Not in Their Name (On Budhan Theatre)

16 August 2018
Jyoti Mishra
 
Not in Their Name 
Budhan Theatre Case Study
Introduction:  
 
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They
are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one
another in a spirit of brotherhood”- Article 1, Universal Declaration of
Human Rights 
 
What is the minimum an individual can expect from the state or its
people; a minimum that’s fundamental to live in a society. The
constitution of India, guarantees its citizens six fundamental rights. It
is known to everybody, yet for some communities and tribes, it is still
a matter of rebel than of fundamental rights. 
 
In 1871, Chhara community of Ahmedabad were notified as
professional criminals by the British. It means, a tribe whose
ancestors were “criminals” and from 1871, whoever was born in this
community were considered a criminal by birth and thus a threat to
the civilization and law, irrespective of his/her individual actions.
According to recent report [1] published by the National Commission
for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (NCDNT) in 2016,
in India, there are 495 Denotified Tribes, listed state-wise and 116
criminal tribes as listed by The Criminal Tribes Act, Enquiry
Committee (Ayyangar Committee) (1949-50). However the data by
this already non-functioning committee is inaccurate and secondary
says Mariya Salim, a researcher at NCDNT, Delhi. [2] 
 
 
Situational Analysis and Analytical Reflection
Even though a part of the Chhara community continues to be

involved in bootlegging, many of them are a part of theatre and
performing arts to bring down the stigma around them.  
 
False allegations and exploitation by the police are very frequent in
Chharanagar [3] . In July 2018, after arresting 29 men from
Chharanagar for allegedly rioting and stone pelting, the police
‘attacked’ on the residential colony as well.[4] Very recently in August,
2018, Pravin Indrekar a photojournalist from DNA, who was covering
a police crackdown in Chharanagar was beaten up by the police. [5]
The perception about these tribes/castes are indeed embedded in

the system and society that, harassment, racial discrimination, and
prejudice seem to be the usual practice without any accountability or
justice being taken care of. Those in legal and political powers
capitalise on these people’s category, and their safety remains
vulnerable. To come out of the age-old marginalization,
discrimination, they have tried to take art as a medium to express
their concern. Budhan Theatre, is one such example where the
community rebels against the discrimination and un-ending
exploitation through films and performing arts. However, their fight
has a another front too, because Dramatic Performances Act of 1876
is still operational in the state of Gujarat.
After going through the works of Mahasweta

Devi, it is clear that she was hopeful, university
students and the academicians can bring in a
change. And the reform is possible by creating
a sensitivity and the sensitivity can be imbibed
only when there is maximum awareness. As a
part of her idea, we as MICAns, were given a
chance to watch Budhan theatre performing
“Budhan Bolta Hai”. The amount of knowledge they brought from
Paash, and writers who wrote for social uprising and all the stories
that are very much their own, was a monument of their efforts.
Problem statement and Communication objectives
Even after actively voicing their concern through art, literature, and
live performances, Chhara community still goes through the
emotional and physical turmoil. During their visit to MICA, Atish
Indrekar, an artist from the group was asked by a student; “Every
society to develop, economic development should be the first
concern. What do you think?” His answer was clear and it
represented a group sentiment, he said, “For a community to
develop, basic need is their societal development, economic comes
later.”  
 
The communication gap is created because the educated mass still
remains a spectator than a participant. The educated mass knows the
news, watches the plays, stays dormant till another stroke from the
community gushes in.
Here, the communication objective is to propagate the ideas forward

and to inculcateante a participatory culture between the receiver and
the community, it is to foster a long-term and sustainable behaviour
change in communities across the country. It is also stated in
literature, that other tribes have also shown resistance towards the
so-called criminal tribes. By Gandhian ideology, the change must
involve grass-root level. Through our communications, we’ll try to
address both the grass-root and the educated lot through similar
communications, since our objective is to equalise.
 
Designing a Communication Strategy 
 
(i)Participatory Communication on New Media and Beyond 
As already mentioned, the involvement of different sects of the

society who are interest to bring in the reform should be inculcated.  
(ii) Addressing the Digital Divide across similar communities

 
The idea of an equal society doesn’t only include profession, class,
and caste, it includes being at the disadvantaged side of the “Digital
Divide” as well where the marginalised community still struggles to
access internet or become technologically forward. To address this,
they must reach out to the audience in mediums they have access to
and propagate digital literacy. To put forth their talents they must
create sharable videos with a common message such as
#EqualRightsforAll
(iii) Follow up channel

 
Following up on the impact is equally important. So, a digital
representative must be allocated to keep a track on all
communications.  
Analysing Strategic Communication Channels 
I have tried to incorporate a WHO framework that is used for strategic

communication to structure our goal. [6]
Accessible: 
 
As a student of strategic marketing, I also had a look at the
technicalities of the communication aspect. First of all, the audiences
must be able to reach the community easily. To remain accessible,
social media and digital communication these days plays a big role.
By analysing their Facebook page; (i) they must include phone
number and email id. (ii) Write a milestone and tell the story of the
organisation when the audience visits the page.
Actionable:
 
“Should a specific caste identity be required in embodying a
narrative subject who is authorized to tell stories of caste-related
suffering?”- Laura Brueck [7] 
 
Their messages are clear and address the issues, however it must
address barriers and reach the audience who influence or otherwise
become the decision makers. For that, they need to move audiences
to action and involve them in the behaviour change process than
making them just the spectators.
 
Allowing an outsider to a community which has remained tribe-
specific might lead to thoughts regarding its vulnerability, but a
communication idea which fights for equality must challenge the
norms.
Credible and Trusted: 

 
The community has wisely utilised the space and opportunity so far to
remain credible and trustworthy. Their public library is an example of
this. Films made by Dakxin Chhara such as Sameer and Birth 1871
and more than 40 plays have accounted for the community’s
seriousness.
Dakshnayan Film Festival, which was hosted by Budhan Theatre and

Amdavad Talkies in April 2017, was another way to bridge the gap.
Rather than making it an one-time event, it can be made a regular
yearly event. It’ll give them a chance to co-ordinate with partners,
speak as “the Chhara Community” and be transparent.
Relevant:
 
By talking about different writers, poets, playwrights, activists, and
filmmakers through their work, they have found a common thread
among the mass. It can be catalysed more by social listening across
platforms and spaces.
By Book Reading, Dramatic Recitals, the group can stay relevant by

using less space and it can avoid police intervention which they had
mentioned happens even during the performance of plays.
 
Timely:
Although “denotified tribe” as a concept is unique and only in India,

but there are many in the country. The conception of Budhan Theatre
is also from an incident that happened in West Bengal to Budhan
who was from Shabar tribe. So, the group in their conversations must
stay close to the initial idea of speaking on behalf of the entire,
“denotified tribe”.
Understandable:
Using multiple languages can be a convenient way to reach

maximum audience. Even though the plays written are in Hindi, but
the language with which they communicate and converse could be
multiple. Having people, who knows different language can help in
this.
Conclusion
 
The communication strategy has been created by keeping in mind a
sustainable change, only constant efforts and critical analysis of the
outputs.
 
 
Reference 
 
 
1. Draft list of denotified tribes, nomadic tribes, and semi-nomadic
tribes of India, National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic, and
semi-nomadic tribes
2. Salim, Mariya, A National Commission That Has Dismally Failed the

Denotified Tribes
3. The Hindu, Chhara theatre activists fight social stigma, censorship
4. Scroll.in, Gujarat: Ahmedabad Police arrest 29 men for allegedly

rioting, injuring a police officer
5. Committee to protect journalists, Gujarat police beat up

photojournalist, charge him with looting and rioting
6. Who Strategic Communication Framework, http://www.who.int/

mediacentre/framework-at-a-glance-slides.pdf?ua=1
7. Brueck, Laura, Dalit chetna in Dalit literary criticism

www.india-seminar.com/2006/558/558 laura r. brueck.htm

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16 August 2018

Budhan Theatre Case Study

Situational Analysis and Analytical Reflection

Even though a part of the Chhara community continues to be

The perception about these tribes/castes are indeed embedded in

After going through the works of Mahasweta

Problem statement and Communication objectives

Here, the communication objective is to propagate the ideas forward

As already mentioned, the involvement of different sects of the

(ii) Addressing the Digital Divide across similar communities

(iii) Follow up channel

Analysing Strategic Communication Channels

I have tried to incorporate a WHO framework that is used for strategic

Credible and Trusted:

Dakshnayan Film Festival, which was hosted by Budhan Theatre and

By Book Reading, Dramatic Recitals, the group can stay relevant by

Although “denotified tribe” as a concept is unique and only in India,

Using multiple languages can be a convenient way to reach

2. Salim, Mariya, A National Commission That Has Dismally Failed the

3. The Hindu, Chhara theatre activists fight social stigma, censorship

4. Scroll.in, Gujarat: Ahmedabad Police arrest 29 men for allegedly

5. Committee to protect journalists, Gujarat police beat up

6. Who Strategic Communication Framework, http://www.who.int/

7. Brueck, Laura, Dalit chetna in Dalit literary criticism

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Analysing Strategic Communication Channels 

Credible and Trusted: 