Big decision of tribals of Jharkhand, they will write their religion instead of others in the census

News India Live, Digital Desk: The movement of tribals in Jharkhand demanding Sarna Dharma Code has now reached a turning point. Angered by the Central Government not providing a separate Sarna Code column in the upcoming census, the tribal organizations have raised their voice in one voice. Tribal Coordination Committee and various social organizations have made it clear that they will no longer use the ‘Others’ column in the census form, but will register their identity by hand writing ‘Sarna’ in the column of their religion.

Fight for rights: Solidarity for recognition of ‘Sarna’ religion

Tribal leaders say that the Sarna Code is the basis of their religious and cultural identity. Now people are being made aware by going to every village to protest against this demand being ignored for a long time. The organizations argue that like Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and other religions, tribals also have their own distinct worship methods and traditions, which deserve recognition through a separate code.

Census 2026: Exclusion of ‘others’ and new strategy

The Tribal Coordination Committee has announced that when enumerators visit their homes during the census, they will force them to clearly enter the word ‘Sarna’ in the religion column. They believe that inclusion in the category of ‘others’ obscures their actual population and religious identity. This decision may impact not only Jharkhand, but also the tribal dominated areas of neighboring states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, where crores of people following Sarna religion live.

Stirring in political circles, pressure on government

The proposal of Sarna Code has been passed unanimously from the Jharkhand Assembly and sent to the Centre, but till now no concrete decision has been taken on it at the Central level. After this latest announcement, the excitement in the politics of the state has also increased. The ruling parties have supported this stand of the tribals, whereas it can prove to be a big challenge for the opposition parties. The tribals have warned that if their demands are not met in time, they will make their agitation more aggressive in the times to come.