Centre for Tribal and Customary Law

Introduction and Inception of the Centre

The tribal people(s) constitute a substantially important part in the rich and diverse conglomeration of Indian population. They have their unique socio-cultural mechanism and ordered behavior pattern for the maintenance of equilibrium, social order, tranquility and peace. These mechanisms are taboos, social sanctions, ritualistic faiths, obeyance to super-natural powers, public opinion, good sense and ethics. These practices constitute the customary laws of the tribal society.

However, non-recognition of these customary laws, discrimination and plundering of their culture, customs and values; are some of the grave crimes being done against them by the so-called modern civilized society. Apart from this, exclusion and forceful implementation of policy decisions without keeping in mind the tribal sentiments has further aggravated their anguish. Therefore, there is an imperative need to develop the understanding of tribal, culture, customs, philosophy, laws and issues affecting them.

Until recently, there hadn’t been any formal education in this field in India. At this backdrop and to fill-up this much needed gap, the Central University of Jharkhand in the month of August 2012 established the Centre for Tribal and Customary Law.

It holds the prestige of being the first^[1] Centre in India dedicated exclusively for research and teaching concerning the Customary Laws, Legal and Governance aspects of Tribal People of India.^[2][3][4]

Location

The present location of the Centre is at Brambe, a 25 kilometer drive from Ranchi City, the capital of Jharkhand (India). Placed in the new Academic-Block section of the lush green and beautiful campus of Central University of Jharkhand, the Centre shall move to its permanent location at the Sukuruhutu-Cheri-Manatu region of Ranchi in the forthcoming times.

(A total of 500 acres of land has been earmarked for the construction of the University. In the first phase, the State Government of Jharkhand has handed over 319.28 acres of land to the University on 13 January 2012. The construction of the splendid permanent campus is already underway.) ^[5]

The current postal address of the Centre is : Centre for Tribal and Customary Law, Central University of Jharkhand, Ratu-Lohardaga Road, Brambe, Ranchi - 835 205, Jharkhand, India.^[6]

Mission and Vision of the Centre

1. To provide intricacies and insight about the culture of tribal people(s), their philosophy of life and prevailing customary laws.

2. To impart specialized knowledge of law influencing tribal people(s), either directly or indirectly.

3. To provide an inter-disciplinary perspective on the study of tribal people(s) by introducing the basic concepts and debates on their governance, policy framing, development and administration within the national as well as global framework emanating from the disciplines of anthropology,sociology, political science, public administration, economics and law.

4. To develop a comprehensive understanding about tribal peoples such that the prospective students involve in adjudication of cases concerning tribal people or contribute to policy framing or get into multifaceted research or pursue any ground-work concerning the tribal peoples.

5. To add to the academia by means of doctoral research and documentation of customary laws and practices of the tribal people.

Courses Offered

• M.A. in Tribal Law and Governance^[7] (Duration - Two years )^[1]
• LL.M. with specialization in Tribal & Customary Law (Duration - Two years)
• Ph.D. in issues concerning Tribal People(s)

Course Structure

The course structure of M.A. (Tribal Law & Governance) and LL.M. (Tribal and Customary Law) is as follows : ^[7]

Admission Process and Other Modalities

Entry to the M.A. (Tribal Law & Governance) and LL.M (Tribal and Customary Law) and Ph.D. programs offered by the Centre for Tribal and Customary Law, shall be ordinarily made in the first semester of each academic year beginning in the month of July. The admission-notification shall be visible in all leading newspapers, internet and the official website of Central University of Jharkhand in the month of February/March every year. Usually the admission is through the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET).

Eligibility :

For seeking admission to the M.A. (Tribal Law & Governance), a candidate should have a bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 55% marks or equivalent grade. The same for applicants belonging to the marginalised communities of India (viz. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Differently Ables) shall be 50%.

For admission to LL.M. (Tribal and Customary Law), a candidate should have bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B.) with at least 55% marks or equivalent grade. The same for applicants belonging to the marginalised communities of India (viz. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Differently Ables) shall be 50%.

For admission to Ph.D. program of the Centre, the candidate must have master's degree in Anthropology / Tribal Studies / Sociology / Law or any other concerned/relevant discipline with at least 55% marks. The same for applicants belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Differently Abled categories shall be 50%.

Applicants, appearing in their exams or those awaiting for results may also apply. However, if such a candidate is successful in getting a seat in any of the concerned programme, his/her admission shall be purely provisional; until the submission of the requisite documents showing successful completion of his/her pre-requisite course (within the stipulated time frame).

Number of seats :

As of now, the total number of seats in the M.A (Tribal Law & Governance) and LL.M. (Tribal & Customary Law) is Fifteen (15) each. The intake in Ph.D. program depends upon the availability and convenience of the concerned supervisor(s).

Admission process :

Admission to all the courses of the Centre is through the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET).^[8]

Faculty members

Dr. Walter Beck, Centre Co-ordinator

Shamsher Alam, Assistant Professor

Rashwet Shrinkhal, Assistant Professor

Dr. Debendra Kumar Biswal, Assistant Professor

Progress of the Centre

In a short span of just over a year the Centre for Tribal and Customary Law has made tremendous progress. A few of the notable ones are :

1. The Centre initiated M.A. (Tribal Law & Governance) programme from session 2013-14.

2. The Centre has also initiated Ph.D. programme from the academic session 2013–14.

3. Till date, the Centre has successfully organised lectures by two Supreme Court Judges in the campus of Central University of Jharkhand and is underway for inviting other scholars in the coming times.

4. The Centre initiated a Lecture Series on Tribal and Customary Laws under which well-learned scholars are invited for deliberations.

5. The Centre is successfully and regularly coming up with its quarterly Newsletter WISDOM.

6. The Centre attempted mediation on the directive of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Such an achievement is rare and unprecedented for any academic institution in the country.

7. The Centre is already underway for signing MoUs with different educational and research institutions in the coming times to boost academic interaction and collaboration.

8. The Centre has initiated LL.M. in Tribal & Customary Law from the academic session 2014–15.

External links

• Centre for Tribal and Customary Law

References