Demand for Sarna Code conspiracy to create divisions among tribals: Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram chief

After the 1990s, they began campaigning extensively for the Sarna religion code across different regions, he told PTI.Singh further alleged that Church representatives had submitted letters supporting the Sarna-Code demand during discussions on the issue under the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government.Since many tribal Christians remain closely connected to Church institutions, they come under their influence.

Asserting that tribal belief systems are part of the Hindu and Sanatan traditions, Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram president Satyendra Singh has called the demand for a separate Sarna religion code a ''conspiracy to divide the society'', driven by the Church and not by tribal communities themselves.

In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, Singh also expressed concern over demographic changes in tribal regions, particularly Jharkhand, claiming that such a practice on a large scale will ultimately weaken the country.

He also asserted that tribal belief systems are part of the Hindu and Sanatan traditions and ''fundamentally, both are same''.

Some tribal groups in Jharkhand and its adjoining states have been demanding that the government declare a Sarna Code for tribals, claiming that they are not Hindus. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has also supported the demand.

The Sarna Code is an ongoing demand in some quarters to have a distinct ''Sarna'' religion column in the Census for tribal communities.

Singh claimed that tribal communities themselves are not seeking a separate religious identity like the one conferred by the Sarna Code and alleged that such a movement gained momentum after the 1990s with support from the Church.

''The Sarna religion code is part of a conspiracy to divide the society. Some people have become involved in it, but according to us, it is driven by the Church. It is not a movement of the Hindu or the tribal society itself.

''Before the 1990s, such demands did not exist in this form. After the 1990s, they began campaigning extensively for the Sarna religion code across different regions,'' he told PTI.

Singh further alleged that Church representatives had submitted letters supporting the Sarna-Code demand during discussions on the issue under the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government.

''Since many tribal Christians remain closely connected to Church institutions, they come under their influence. That is why the demand for the Sarna religion code emerged.

''When Hemant Soren raised the issue, Church representatives also became involved. Bishops from Jharkhand and Andaman met leaders and submitted a letter from the Church. In that letter, they wrote that the Sarna religion code has long been a demand of the Church,'' he alleged.

Singh criticised campaigns encouraging tribals to identify themselves as Sarna, Gondi or Bhili instead of Hindu in census records.

''Why should Church representatives demand a Sarna religion code? Those who originally follow the tradition should have made the demand themselves, if any,'' he said.

Singh claimed that such campaigns could significantly affect demographic patterns.

''This is going to have a major impact on population demographics. And if demographic changes take place on a large scale, the country will weaken,'' he said.

He also alleged that more than 25 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been created to promote the campaign.

Singh expressed concern over people, especially in Jharkhand, identifying themselves under the ''other religion'' category in census records, alleging that it is the ''first step'' towards conversion to Christianity.

''It is a very serious issue. It exists in other states as well, but is more significant in Jharkhand. In the 2011 Census in Jharkhand, around 42 lakh people identified themselves under 'other religion'.

''In Odisha too, there are around five to six lakh such people. There are also similar numbers in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Across the country, around 79 lakh people have written 'other religion'. It is the first step towards becoming a Christian,'' he claimed.

Singh cited the example of Simdega district in Jharkhand and alleged that while the population classified under ORP (other religions and persuasions) declined there between the 2001 and 2011 Census, the Christian population increased and the Hindu population decreased.

''How did the Christian population increase? According to us, those who were earlier in the ORP category later converted to Christianity,'' he claimed.

''And now, during the ongoing census-related campaigns, this message is being spread widely that tribal people should not identify themselves as Hindu. Instead, some are being told to write Sarna, some Gondi, some Bhili, according to their regional identities,'' he claimed.

Asked whether tribal faith systems are distinct from Hindu traditions, Singh said those are very much part of the Sanatan tradition.

''We see those as part of the Hindu tradition. For example, the Vedas mention worship of the five elements -- sky, air, fire, water and earth. Tribal communities worship the same forces of nature. In villages, people worship the earth. During festivals in Jharkhand, there is Sarhul puja, which involves worship of the earth and the Sun God.

''Similarly, tribal communities worship air and water as well. The faith and belief systems of the tribal society are part of the Sanatan cultural tradition of the Hindu society. Whether they identify themselves as Hindu or not, their faith is still rooted in Sanatan traditions. These are not separate traditions -- these are fundamentally the same,'' he said.