However, due to their animistic (in other words, non-Vedic Hinduism[21]) behaviors, they are relatively considered inferior in the Hindu social hierarchy and often referred to as Adivasis.

[45][46] Additionally, the census also noted a total of 15,049 Bagals in the marriage table, with specific distributions in Medinipur (6,191), Singhbhum (5,819), Manbhum (1,543), and Bankura (1,496).

[63][24][64] Though the Bagals call themselves Gopas, the "higher" Hindu castes do not regard them as proper sat-sudras, but do not explicitly state that they are asat-sudras or antyajas.

[h] The mejor lineages or sept (bansa) of Bagals of Midnapore includes Araikula (Arikuḷa), Banardiha, Bankuar, Buru Bhatua/Buruhatua, Bukria/Bukuria, Chardiha, Danadiha, Deoria (Deoḷia), Gutisukri/Butisukri, Hajombanda, Jetuar/Jegoar, Kurkutia, Manikdiha, Pathcom, Punihasa, Samdia, Sonahatu, Satvia, Sikaria, Tetla with variation in pronunciation and romanization.

[VI] The Bagal society follows a traditional caste council system known as Desh-Sabha, with the Mukhia serving as the head and the Digar and Dakua as assistants and messengers, respectively.

As K. S. Singh believed that the Bagal people migrated from central India and they are one of the original settlers of erstwhile Singhbhum district of Bihar (now Jharkhand).

In the caste-index prepared by Government for the province of Bihar and Orissa in the present census, Bagal has been listed [...] as a vague and indefinite entry [...].

Nevertheless, the Bagals residing in the undivided Midnapore region recount a migration narrative wherein their ancestors relocated from the former Bihar, with a smaller number originating from Mayurbhanj.

Scholars and ethnographers, upon examining the Bagal caste's genealogy and ethnolinguistic affiliation, have posited that those individuals may have had an aboriginal origin, having settled in East Chota Nagpur and adopting a cattle herding occupation.

[X][52] However, some of them, along with other sources, also claim that some of their kinsmen migrated to North Bengal and Northeast India during the British Raj, specifically to work as tea garden labourers.

Their livelihood worsened when the Britishers imposed exploitative zamindari rules and high taxes on forest rights in the Jangal Mahal of Bengal Presidency.

[75][76] The Bagal community embraces a form of Folk Hinduism, yet they do not possess specific Hinduistic jati purana (etiological myths) within their cultural repertoire.

Birth, death, and marriage rituals are now being conducted with the assistance of priestly, barber, and washerman castes, as well as the son-in-law, to uphold the purity norms of Hindu society.

When boys and girls reach a suitable age for marriage, their families undertake the task of finding an appropriate spouse from within their endogamous subdivision, which can be accomplished through various methods including negotiation, courtship, mutual consent, intrusion, exchange, or coercion.

At the seventh month of pregnancy, family members joyfully offer an assortment of food and arrange a small feast called shad-khia, which involves the participation of neighbors.

They predominantly follows Hindu cremation rituals, except if in the case of deceased pregnant women or children, burial takes place by interring the body and planting a tree.

These celebrations are observed within specific social units, such as lineages, sub-lineages, clans, or families, fostering a sense of unity and cohesion within these close-knit groups.

Unlike the previous group, these festivals involve interactions with neighboring communities residing in the local area, contributing to a shared cultural experience among these adjoining social units.

They hold deep reverence for benevolent deities such as Shiva, Hari, Kali, Durga, Lakshmi, Garam-Dharam or Sarna, Burha-Budhi, Bagut/Bhahuti, Rohini, Karam, Pahar, Sannyash, Manasa, Sitala, Jitiya, and Bonkumari, among others, attributing to them blessings and positive influences.

[X] Conversely, they recognize the presence of malevolent spirits, including Dan-buri/Dahini-buri, Bisay-chandi, Sangee-hangkar, Kalia-kundra, Baria, Baram, Churkin, Go-muha, Sat-bahini, Joka, Jhapri, Dhan-kundra, Kapua, Bagut, and others, capable of causing harm and misfortune.

To prevent it, they perform apotropaic rituals involving the sacrificial offerings of domestic animals like goat, sheep, pig, cock, pigeon, etc., with the assistance of Deheri and Ojha in their cultural customs.

[94] Moreover, as a status quo, the Bagal caste is not included in any notified category in any of these states as a distinct social group; rather, they are considered part of the generic population.

In light of this, some Bagal people are asserting themselves as belonging to other notified communities to avail government-sponsored welfare benefits and constitutional privileges of affirmative action.

However, for their socio-cultural, economic, and political security, they have been voicing their concerns from the independence of India to both state and central governments, seeking constitutional recognition and inclusion in the list of Scheduled Castes or Tribes.

[VI] On April 21, 1981, Seventh Lok Sabha – 5th session; Shri Matilal Hansda, Jhargram CPI (M) MP raised concern about Bagal community, who are educationally, economically and culturally backward in ground and can be comparable with other Schedule Caste and Tribes.

[106] On May 15, 1985, Eighth Lok Sabha – 2nd session; Shri Chintamani Jena, Balesore INC MP requested Shrimati Ram Dilari Sinha, The Ministry of Home Affairs for the inclusion of Bagal caste in the Scheduled Tribe list.

[107] On April 25, 1990, the Tribal Research Institute of the Odisha government recommended the inclusion of the Bagal caste in the state Scheduled Tribes list.

[108] During the 2009 Lalgarh insurgency, a conflict between Maoists and the Indian armed forces, the Jharkhand Andolan Samannay Mancha (JASM) demanded the inclusion of Bagal community in the list of Scheduled Tribes as a potential solution.

[109][110] On April 26, 2010, Lok Sabha debate; Dr. Pulin Bihari Baske, Jhargram CPI (M) MP demanded inclusion of Bagal community in tribal (ST) list.

[112] On July 12, 2019, Bisheshwar Tudu, Mayurbhanj BJP MP requested Shri Arjun Munda, The Ministry of Tribal Affairs for inclusion of Bagal caste in the Scheduled Tribe list.