Ranchi
From women in traditional tribal attire to men wielding their traditional bows and arrows — the historic Morhabadi Ground here saw adivasis gather in large numbers in support of their demand for a separate Sarna Religion Code.
They “resolved” not to vote for “anyone” in the 2024 general elections, if a separate Sarna Religion Code did not become fully functional before the poll schedule was announced. “Code nahin toh vote nahin (No Code, No Vote),” was one of their main slogans.
Members of the Scheduled Tribes community in attendance danced to the tune of music played by traditional instruments and displayed the indigenous culture. Many among them even had their bodies painted with slogans in support of the Sarna Religion Code.
The participants wondered why the government at the Centre was reluctant to pass the Sarna Religion Code, even though the States of Jharkhand and West Bengal have passed resolutions to this effect in their respective Vidhan Sabhas. They argued that the religious and cultural values of tribals cannot be equated with the followers of any other religious faith.
“Sarna is a separate religion. We worship the Nature. The 2011 census report says that 49.57 lakh people based in 29 states and union territories across the country had said that their religious faith is Sarna, which is much higher than the Jains – 44.51 lakh. Then why is this discrimination with us? The Jains have been granted a separate religious code,” thundered Sarna spiritual leader Bandhan Tigga.
Raji Pahara Sarna Prarthana Sabha chief Ram Kishun Oraon from Nepal informed that a separate Sarna Code was functional in his country too, even though its total population was barely 3 crore and the tribal population was minimal. For his part, Manilal Hembrom from Odisha alleged that the tribals were being misguided in the name of delisting aimed at converting them to Hindus.
Rashtriya Adivasi Chhatra Sangh president Sangam Oroan, however, raised the issue of the indigenous community’s opposition to granting Scheduled Tribes status to Kurmis and Mahtos of Jharkhand. “Some of my comrades were of the view that this wasn’t the opportune moment to raise this issue. But, I aired my views,” he asserted.
Tribals in Jharkhand (with 26% ST population), Odisha (23%), Bengal (6%), Assam (12%) and Bihar (1%) have been demanding Sarna as a separate religion and even resorted to rail and road blockades in support of their demand.
