Jharkhand’s political landscape sees a fervent campaign for tribal religious identity. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directly appealed to the nation’s highest offices—President, Prime Minister, and Governor—with letters seeking a dedicated code for Sarna religion in the 2027 national census. This initiative aims to honor the Adivasi community’s ancient beliefs and practices.
Delving into the essence of Sarna, Soren described it as an integral part of tribal life, encompassing unique rituals, reverence for nature, and age-old festivals. He welcomed the Centre’s decision to proceed with the census, postponed from 2021, noting its importance for data-driven governance. The state is actively supporting the exercise, led by the CM’s personal involvement.
Soren recalled how colonial-era censuses acknowledged diverse faiths separately, a nuance lost after independence when tribal religions were lumped under ‘others.’ The 2011 data revealed a staggering 50 lakh Sarna adherents self-reporting without an official category, signaling strong grassroots demand.
Backed by the state legislature’s consensus resolution, the demand aligns with Jharkhand’s tribal-centric foundation. Soren urged the Governor to champion this cause centrally, referencing safeguards for scheduled tribes. In today’s digital age, adding a Sarna code is not just possible but practical, he asserted.
Failure to recognize this could undermine policy effectiveness for Adivasis, affecting welfare schemes. Soren’s plea is clear: include Sarna explicitly in the census to safeguard cultural integrity and empower tribal communities for generations.
