Banjaras are the largest ethnic group in India'

Banjaras (Gor) are the largest ethnic group in India with a population ranging between 8.5 crore and 10 crore, and are known across the country by at least 27 different names and 18 sub-groups, former Odiasha chief secretary of Odisha Ramachandrudu has said.

Speaking at the valedictory of the second National Banjara Professors Conference organised by the state chapter of National Banjara Professors Association at the Osmania University here on 15th September, he said “The tradition and culture of the community is the same across the country. We are not a typical tribal group living in the jungle. The Constitution has put us under the Scheduled Tribe category to protect us.” He said, “We do not have all the characteristics of a typical tribe. We are not untouchables. We are a tribe but not untouchables.”