Various governments have repeatedly pledged to address the ongoing migration problem faced by the residents of Thanda, but as of yet, no viable solution has been presented to curb this issue. Vijayanagara district finds itself grappling with a drought situation that compels people living in thandas (a clustered human settlement or community of Banjaras) to seek employment in other cities.
Many homes stand vacant, their inhabitants having departed in pursuit of better opportunities elsewhere. Despite the assurances of successive governments, the persistent challenge of migration remains unresolved.
Typically, individuals from the Lambani community, residing in these thandas, migrate to urban centers for diverse reasons. Tragic incidents, such as last year’s drowning of four children from a Vijayanagara family who had relocated to Mandya in search of work, underscore the risks involved.
In times of drought or heavy rainfall, members of the community frequently leave for cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, and even other states like Maharashtra and Goa to secure employment. Their plea to the government is to prioritize the creation of local job opportunities.
Krishna Naik, the MLA representing the Hoovinahadagali constituency in Vijayanagara district, emphasizes that migration has been an enduring issue for the community. He points out that while a few individuals own agricultural land, many are reliant on daily wages earned from working on other people’s farms. Unfortunately, this year’s drought has severely impacted maize crops in the region, necessitating government assistance in compensating farmers for their damaged yields. Additionally, Naik requests the prompt appointment of a chairperson for the Thanda Development Board.
Anil Vakdoth L, a leader within the Banjara community and legal advisor to the Human Rights People Council, highlights the presence of 3,384 thandas in the state, with 93 situated in Vijayanagara district. He reveals that a significant number of people from Banjara and Lambani communities have relocated to other regions.
Crucially, these communities still lack proper documentation for revenue land rights. While previous governments have made assurances of alternative solutions, migration persists in the absence of a concerted focus on generating local employment opportunities. Vakdoth L underscores the need for an official survey to assess the scale of migration, emphasizing that the community requires concrete, enduring solutions.
One concerned villager, Maltesh Lamani, shares that the entire thanda’s population has already departed for Bengaluru in search of work. With the village grappling with severe challenges this year, many families plan to make the move to Bengaluru for employment after the Dasara festival.