Demand for Sarna Religion Code Intensifies Ahead of Census 2027
Two recent political events have brought the demands of indigenous communities into sharp focus. On May 3, 2027, a day before the first phase of Census 2027 began, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren wrote to the President, Prime Minister, and Jharkhand Governor, urging them to introduce a separate religion code named 'Sarna' in the census. A similar proposal had been passed in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in November 2020. Separately, tribals were angered when Home Minister Amit Shah addressed Adivasis as 'Vanvasis' from the platform of the Janjati Suraksha Manch last month. With the population enumeration phase of Census 2027 set for February next year, Adivasi organisations are ramping up demands for a distinct Sarna religion code.
Historical Context of Tribal Classification in Census
According to the orders for Census 2001 and 2011, six religions—Hindu, Muslim, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism—were assigned codes from one to six. The instructions stated that for 'other religions', the name could be written but no separate code number would be allotted. However, historically, from 1871 to 1951, tribals had a distinct code under the titles 'Aboriginals' and 'Tribe'. These categories were later removed and replaced with 'Others'. In Census 2027, the 'Others' category has been eliminated, meaning tribals may be forced to classify themselves under one of the six major religious categories. This, they believe, directly threatens their religious identity.
What is Sarna Dharma?
Sarna Dharma is not a monolithic religion but a collection of diverse indigenous belief systems and practices rooted in the cultural and spiritual heritage of various Adivasi communities. Most indigenous people are nature worshippers and do not identify as Hindus, Muslims, or Christians. In the 2011 census, over 50 lakh tribal people across the country listed their religion as 'Sarna', even though it was not an official code. Advocates for a separate code allege that in the 2027 census, Adivasis are being strategically placed under the Hindu category. A section of Adivasis is also demanding delisting from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category for those who have converted to Islam or Christianity.
UN Declaration and Government's Stance
Article 8 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that 'Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture'. The government's refusal to allot a separate religion code to Adivasis raises questions about its alignment with this international declaration. Members of several tribal bodies from Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Assam participated in a Maharally under the banner of the Rashtriya Adivasi Samaj Sarna Dharma Raksha Abhiyan. Over 100 people from neighbouring Nepal also joined to show support. The West Bengal Assembly passed a resolution in 2023 and sent it to the Centre for approval. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Assam are preparing similar proposals.
Challenges in Creating a Unified Sarna Code
Not all tribals wish to be categorised under Sarna Dharma. For instance, the Gond tribe follows its own Gondi religion with Bada Dev as its deity, and South Indian tribes have distinct belief systems. The Census Commissioner faces a dilemma: whether to create a separate Sarna code only for those demanding it, or bring all tribal communities under the Sarna umbrella. The former could trigger demands for multiple tribal religion codes across states, while the latter may face resistance from tribes that do not identify with Sarna. One proposed solution is to reinstate the 'Tribe' category or a separate code similar to what existed in the 1951 census.
