The Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 was a significant piece of legislation enacted by the British colonial government in India. The Act labeled numerous indigenous communities as 'criminal tribes,' a term used to denote groups that were deemed to engage in criminal activities. Its primary objective was to control and manage these communities through extensive surveillance and regulation. Colonial authorities justified this legislation as a means of maintaining law and order amidst what they considered rampant criminality across India, particularly in the context of post-Mutiny fears that were prevalent during the period. The Act required members of these designated tribes to register with the police, report regularly, and abide by strict regulations governing their movements and activities.

The Act affected various communities, including traditional groups such as the Banjara and the Kanjhar, who had been falsely labeled due to misconceptions about their lifestyles and professions. The enforcement of the Act often led to arbitrary arrests and discrimination, deepening the social stigma associated with these communities. Religious and cultural practices were also curtailed as members faced societal and legal restrictions imposed upon them by colonial laws.

Furthermore, this legislation set a chilling precedent for the criminalization of certain communities based on inherent biases rather than factual criminal behavior. The implications of the Criminal Tribes Act reached beyond its immediate legal ramifications, influencing social dynamics, colonial policy, and inter-community relations in India. As colonial narratives shaped public perception, the Act catalyzed long-lasting social stigma that affected generations beyond its repeal in 1952.