Mon Nov 25 21:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Jharkhand Election Highlights Tribal Demand for Sarna Code Recognition
**Ranchi, Jharkhand – November 26, 2024** – The recent Jharkhand Assembly elections saw the demand for a separate religious code, “Sarna,” for tribal communities become a central issue. For years, Jharkhand’s tribal population has advocated for the inclusion of Sarna, named after their sacred Sal tree groves, in the national census. Currently, the census only recognizes six religions, leaving many tribal faiths categorized under “other religions and persuasions.”
This demand stems from the unique nature of tribal faiths, which differ significantly from Hinduism. While a significant portion of tribal communities (around 45% of the Scheduled Tribe population) are currently classified as Hindu or “other,” their beliefs, centered on nature worship and lacking concepts like heaven and hell or the varna system, are distinct. Many reject categorization as Hindu, yet also desire formal religious recognition.
The Sarna code emerged as a key election promise from both the INDIA and NDA alliances. A Lokniti-CSDS survey revealed that while only 29% of respondents identified as Sarna followers, this percentage skyrocketed to 73% among Scheduled Tribes. Support for Sarna’s inclusion as a separate census category was split, with 31% in favor, 49% opposed, and 20% undecided. However, a striking 81% of self-identified Sarna followers strongly supported official recognition. This significant disparity highlights the deep-seated importance of this issue within the tribal communities themselves. Hindu organizations, however, view the Sarna code as divisive and oppose its implementation. The ongoing debate underscores the complexities of religious identity and representation in India’s diverse population.
First Piper 