Chandigarh, 18 May 2025- A high-level delegation from the Hatti community of the Giripar region in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh met Rajya Sabha MP Sardar Satnam Singh Sandhu today at his residence in Chandigarh. The meeting was led by Advocate Surender Thakur, President of the Hatti Committee, Chandigarh.
The main objective of this meeting was to discuss the challenges being faced by the Hatti community despite being granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, and to address the issue of restoring their historical identity.
The delegation informed MP Sandhu that although the central government had granted ST status to the Hatti community and published it in the Gazette of India, the community has not yet received full benefits due to certain legal hurdles. In particular, the stay imposed by the Himachal Pradesh High Court on the implementation of the law has created an atmosphere of uncertainty within the community.
MP Sardar Satnam Singh Sandhu attentively listened to all the concerns raised by the Hatti delegation. He assured them that he would raise the issue prominently in Parliament to safeguard the rights of the Hatti community and restore their identity. He promised every possible effort to ensure that the people of the Giripar region receive their constitutional rights and entitlements. He also stated that he would actively coordinate with the central government and relevant state authorities regarding this sensitive matter.
The Hatti community has long been demanding ST status based on its unique cultural, historical, and socio-economic identity. The community is known for its distinct ‘Khumbli’ (traditional council), attire, folk songs, and language, which set it apart from other communities in Himachal.
Prominent members of the Hatti community present on the occasion included Vice President Rajesh Rajput, Secretary Rajat Chauhan, Treasurer Aditya Chauhan, Advocate Anuj Chauhan, Gaurav Rapta, Nagendra Singh, Seema Thakur, and Brijesh among others.