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Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
How a young IPS officer helped end 12-year-long social exile in Banaskantha
Ahmedabad: In the remote tribal belt of Banaskantha, 29 families who had lived in the shadows of social exile for over a decade have finally returned home — not by court orders or govt mandates, but through the quiet resolve and empathy of a young IPS probationary officer. It all began in 2014, when a murder in Mota Pipodara village led to the invocation of a traditional tribal justice system known as 'Chadotara'— a traditional dispute resolution system. Intended as a means to restore harmony, it instead tore the community apart. Nearly 300 members of the Kodarvi community were ostracized, their homes abandoned, and their farmlands left to dry. Forced to leave, they survived as daily wage labourers in Surat, Palanpur, and other cities, cut off from their roots and identity. For 12 years, no solution emerged — until fate intervened in the form of IPS probationary officer Suman Nala. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Posted as assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in Danta, Nala, a 2021-batch officer, learned of the Kodarvi families' plight through an unlikely source — her domestic help. The woman revealed that her parents were among those exiled due to a Chadotaru. Moved by the story, Nala began investigating. She discovered that the main accused in the original murder case had been acquitted years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Yet the punishment endured for the rest. Despite being on probation, Nala took up the cause. Teaming up with Banaskantha SP Akshayraj Makwana and Hadad police sub-inspector Jayshree Desai, she began the process of dialogue with both communities. Round after round of patient negotiation with village panchs slowly began to bear fruit. But Nala didn't stop at conflict resolution. Understanding that the families needed more than just permission to return, she spearheaded a coordinated effort with the district collector and local NGOs to secure funding for their resettlement. A total of Rs 70 lakh was mobilized — Rs 40 lakh from the collector's fund and Rs 30 lakh from civil society. The results are transformative. Farmlands once abandoned are now being cultivated. Thirty homes are under construction. Electricity and water connections are being restored. Children are back in school. A new community hall is rising, and concrete roads are being laid — paving not just the way home, but the path to a dignified future. "This isn't just a return. It's a restoration of belonging," said an official statement from the police. "By choosing dialogue over division and empathy over enforcement, we've shown that policing can be a bridge to peace." Today, as the Kodarvi families resettle, communities have joined hands to build a peaceful, progressive future — creating a historic moment that will inspire generations to come. The reunion of the Kodarvi families with their homeland is more than just an administrative success — it is a reminder that change begins with listening, and that one officer's compassion can heal wounds buried for years.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
From exile to home: Tribal families reclaim roots in Gujarat village after a decade
In an emotional homecoming, 29 tribal families, who had left their ancestral village of Mota Pippodra in Banaskantha's Danta taluka 12 years ago due to a deep-rooted custom, were ceremoniously welcomed back on Thursday (July 17, 2025). These families, belonging to the Kodarvi community, had abandoned their native village on account of the tribal practice of Chadotaru — a traditional vendetta custom that had driven them into exile. The emotional return of nearly 300 members of these families to their ancestral land was facilitated through a collaborative initiative involving the Banaskantha police, local administration, and community leaders. The event was marked by symbolic rituals, heartfelt gestures of reconciliation, and a firm governmental commitment to integrate these families back into the mainstream with dignity and support. Addressing the gathering, Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi called the occasion historic not just for Gujarat, but for tribal communities across India. 'Today marks the eradication of an old social ill and a step towards progress, peace, and collective prosperity,' he said. He praised the elders of both communities for choosing dialogue over conflict and honoured them on stage for their role in restoring harmony. 'Unity is the true identity of society, while hatred is a burden of darkness,' the Minister said. Mr. Sanghavi welcomed the returning families with kumkum tilak, conducted traditional housewarming rituals (gruh pravesh), and later they sowed maize seeds in their fields to mark a new beginning. Each household was provided with educational kits, ration supplies, a wheelchair in the case of a differently-abled member, and certificates of appreciation for their courage and patience. The Kodarvi families, who had scattered across Palanpur and Surat after fleeing Mota Pipada, were resettled on their legally owned 8.5-hectare land. The Banaskantha police, working with the District Inspector of Land Records, cleared and levelled the overgrown, desolate land to make it cultivable again, officials said. They said that two houses had already been constructed, and under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, efforts were underway to provide permanent housing for all families. Partnerships with voluntary organisations were also being leveraged to provide essential infrastructure and livelihood support. Mr. Sanghavi lauded the Banaskantha police for going beyond their security duties to help achieve lasting peace through community outreach. 'This is an exemplary case of law enforcement leading social change,' the Minister said.
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Banaskantha: 12 years exile for 29 tribal families ends, rehabilitated in native village
Banaskantha: Twelve years ago, around 300 members of 29 Kodarvi families were forced to live in exile, forced out of their homeland in Mota Pipodra village of Danta taluka in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, because of a tribal custom of 'Chadotaru' - a tradition rooted in vengeance. That suffering came to an end today, with Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi leading the drive in rehabilitating these tribal families in their native village. During this historic occasion, a prayer ceremony and seed sowing were also conducted on the land, symbolising a new beginning. The Minister will also interact with the families to discuss their rehabilitation plans and distribute educational materials and ration kits. Years ago, these tribal families had to migrate from their ancestral land to regions like Palanpur and Surat with a heavy heart. July 17 marked a memorable moment for the dignified return and resettlement of these families in their ancestral village. Gujarat Minister Harsh Sanghavi, speaking to IANS on the occasion, said, "Today, in Mota Pipodara village of Danta taluka, 29 families with 300 people who had to leave the village 14 years ago due to old social customs, were respectfully rehabilitated.' He also thanked Banaskantha police for prioritising social policing and empathy over strict legalities, making this a historic and emotional day for the region. The Banaskantha Police, in coordination with the District Inspector of Land Records, surveyed approximately 8.5 hectares of land belonging to these families, cleared the overgrown and barren land, and made it cultivable again. The 'Chadotaru' custom, which prompted the migration, had deeply affected the Kodarvi community. Banaskantha Police gathered details of the displaced families, contacted them, and initiated meetings with the village panchayat and elders of both communities to ensure peace and reconciliation. As part of the resettlement efforts, two houses have already been constructed, and with support from the district administration, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and various social organisations, the remaining 27 families will soon be provided with housing and other essential amenities.
Deccan Herald
16-07-2025
- Deccan Herald
After 12 years of exile, 300 tribals to return home in Gujarat
In 2012-2013, two communities of scheduled tribes—Kodarvi and Dabhi—were involved in a conflict after a member of the latter community was killed by a man belonging to the former.
