We used mixed-method research for the study with tools like audit, participant observation, and in-depth interviews. The whole process including conceptualisation, research design, training, data collection, data analysis and subsequent advocacy was led by leaders, women and youth of NT-DNT communities.
The process began with a full-day research training workshop for the youth of NT-DNTs and other Bahujan communities. They then formed the research team representing different lived realities – of a girl, a young woman, young mother, informal sector worker and so on.
The training process included understanding intersections of nomadic and criminalised status with caste, gender, sexuality, disability, religion and citizenship in context of sanitation; finalisation of data collection tools; understanding ethics of human rights-based participatory methodology; logistical planning for data collection keeping in mind these ethics; and connection of the research team with community leaders.
The next step was the mapping of diverse NT-DNT settlements in the broader research area of Thane district so as to get rich data representing differences within nomadic families. This was followed by the identification of the community and the public toilets where available near NT-DNT settlements, and mobilisation of participants for the interviews. These participants were identified keeping in mind diverse representation — children, girls, women, the old, with disabilities, of different religions, working different occupations, trans persons, families living in tents, families living in rented rooms in slums, families living on the road side and so on.
Finally, there was actual data collection and analysis. The communities who participated included the Nathpanthi Davri Gosavi (begging), Gadiya Lohar Ghisadi (ironsmiths), Vaidu (healers), Banjara (folk performers), Vadari (stone and soil workers), Vaghya Murali (religious performers), Gopal (work with cattle) and Potraj (roadshow performers). While most continue with these traditional occupations, given the dwindling demand and payment for this work, some also take up other livelihoods such as construction, daily wage labour etc.
Here is what we found in our interviews.