Sarna a different religion from Hinduism, say tribal outfits
RANCHI: Tribal religious and social outfits from eastern India plan to launch a nationwide movement demanding recognition of Sarna as an independent religion, separate from Hinduism.
The tribals who practice the Sarna code of beliefs, which involves worshipping nature, have been for years revolting against clubbing them with the Hindus or Others in the Census. They say unlike the Hindus, animistic Sarna followers are against idol worship. Sarna-following tribals are found in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam.
“We will gather all the 20 crore adivasis and hold a massive movement across the country. Our demand has been neglected for decades, but this time, the Centre has to recognise Sarna as a separate religion,” said Bandhan Tigga, who is the Sarna Dharmguru or the tribal religious leader who has led several protests against conversion of tribal people in Jharkhand.
Tigga said Sarna followers from 1811 to 1941 were recognised as Nature Worshipper ( Prakriti Upasak), which did not fall under Hinduism. Since 1942, the Sarna followers were considered a sect of Hinduism, he said.
During the campaign, the tribal leaders also plan to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister Rajnath Singh and hand over a memorandum putting forth their demand.
In 2014, thousands of Sarna followers handed over a memorandum to then Union minister P Chidambaram and demanded recognition. The crusaders back then had also staged protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, but their pleas went unheeded, said tribal rights activists.
According to Tigga, the Sarna followers would this time camp in states that have high tribal population, hold awareness rallies, organise street plays and run a Sarna rath, which would touch different parts of the country and finally reach New Delhi.“On September 13, we will hold a darbar in Kolkata. On December 11, we will organise our Dilli Chalo campaign and meet the PM, the President and the Home minister,” said Surya Singh Besra, the president of Jharkhand’s People Party.
“If the country can give separate recognition to 2 crore Sikhs, 2 crore Christians, and 17 crore Muslims, why is it reluctant to recognise over 20 crore adivasis having faith in Sarna religion,” he asked. At Kolkata meeting on September 13, Besra expects a gathering of at least one lakh volunteers who would represent their villages, blocks and districts from across the country. While no BJP leader was ready to be quoted on the issue, a senior officer bearer of the party in Jharkhand said Sarna falls under Hinduism since even the Hindus worship nature. “A majority of Sarna followers consider themselves Hindus.