Eminent Scholar Sona Jharia Minz Voices Caution Over Sarna Religion Code

Ranchi

The call for a separate Sarna religion code has grown louder over the past decade, especially in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and certain tribal pockets of Bihar. Those demanding it argue that without a dedicated code in the national census, Sarna followers are forced into the “Others” or “Hindu” categories, eroding their distinct identity.

In 2020, the Jharkhand Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to include a Sarna Code in the upcoming census. Similar political and community-led campaigns have taken place in other states, with rallies, public meetings, and the rallying cry: “Code nahin toh vote nahin” (No code, no vote).

Tribal leaders believe an official recognition would protect Sarna traditions, safeguard against religious conversion pressures, and affirm tribal cultural sovereignty.

But not everyone in the tribal intellectual space is convinced. Sona Jharia Minz, noted academic and social scientist, has called for caution over the issue.

Why The Concern?

“In our country every individual is free to practice his or her religious faith. If any section of society is facing problems, necessary amendments should be made in the country’s Constitution. Further, the tribals of Santhal Pargana or Oraons of Chhotanagpur may not find themselves comfortable with Sarna Code. It also ‘divides’ Christian and non-Christian tribals,” she told The Indian Tribal.

Minz’s core concern is that a Sarna Code, while intended to unite, might inadvertently create religious and social fault lines—particularly between Christian and non-Christian tribals, who have historically lived side by side despite differing beliefs.

Regions like Santhal Pargana and the Chhotanagpur plateau—home to large Munda, Oraon, and other tribal populations—have a complex social fabric. Some Santhals, for example, follow a blend of animistic traditions and Hindu customs, while many Oraons have large Christian populations due to historical missionary work. Imposing a single Sarna Code could homogenise this diversity, leading to alienation among groups that see their traditions as separate or more syncretic.  

A separate code, Minz fears, could be perceived as an exclusionary identity marker, upsetting this delicate balance.

As of now, despite grassroots momentum and state-level resolutions, the Central government has not yet approved a Sarna Code. The issue remains politically charged, with both community pride and electoral calculations in play.

Meanwhile, debates continue within the tribal intelligentsia about whether codification is the best way to preserve indigenous faiths—or whether constitutional safeguards and cultural revitalisation could achieve the same goal without risking division.

What is the Sarna Code?

The Sarna Code is a proposed separate religious category for followers of Sarna Dharma, an indigenous tribal faith that worships nature and sacred groves (Sarna Sthal).

The Demand:

• Seeks formal recognition in the Census separate from Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and other major religions.
• Advocates say it will help preserve tribal identity, customs, and rituals.
• The demand is strongest in Jharkhand, with support also seen in parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and among tribal communities in Assam.

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