Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, March 23: Jamshedpur witnessed a strong wave of protest on Monday as members of the Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan staged a powerful demonstration outside the District Collectorate (DC Office), intensifying their long-standing demand for the inclusion of a separate Sarna religious code in the national framework.
The demonstrators, representing a broad spectrum of tribal communities, raised slogans and voiced their concerns over the continued lack of constitutional recognition for Sarna, the indigenous faith followed by nature-worshipping Adivasis.
Their primary demand centers on the formal acknowledgment of Sarna as a distinct religion and the allocation of a separate code for it in the upcoming national census.
Leaders of the movement emphasized that millions of tribal people across India continue to be categorized under other religious identities, which they argue undermines their cultural and spiritual heritage.
Citing Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of religion, they asserted that denying a distinct religious identity to Sarna followers amounts to a violation of their fundamental rights.
The protest was led by national president Salkhan Murmu, who reiterated that the issue is not merely administrative but deeply tied to the identity, dignity, and existence of tribal communities.
He also raised a significant demand regarding Marang Buru, also known as Parasnath Hill in Giridih, calling for its handover to tribal communities.
He described the site as a sacred symbol of Adivasi faith and heritage, stressing that its control should reflect its religious significance to indigenous people.
Following the demonstration, a delegation submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The memorandum outlined their demands in detail and urged immediate intervention to ensure justice for the tribal population.
The protesters made it clear that their agitation would not remain limited to symbolic demonstrations.
They issued a stern warning that if the government fails to take prompt and positive action, the movement will be intensified in the coming days, potentially expanding into a larger nationwide campaign.
The demonstration highlights a growing assertion among tribal communities seeking recognition, representation, and respect for their unique cultural and religious identity within India’s diverse social fabric.
