India, Dec. 6 -- As a kid, most of us must have seen madaris who would make any animal dance on their terms. Though no longer on the streets, madaris still brings back sweet memories from our childhood. However, the plight of madaris strikes a great contrast from the memories that we have attached to them. The madari community is currently one of the most vulnerable communities in India, and the most vulnerable among them are women and young girls.

One such madari community is that of the Qalander- a tribe of Indian Muslims who have, for generations, made their living by bear dancing and selling their hair and nails (also known as the Madari). They poached sloth bear cubs and taught them to dance. The Qalanders believe that this practice...