Sarna Religion "EMPOWER IAS"

More on news:

• A separate column for tribes as a religious identity was included in the census from 1871 to 1951, but was subsequently dropped. 
• Currently, citizens can choose from only six religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism.
• If the Centre approves the new Sarna code, Census 2021 would have to make space for a new religion. 

 

The Sarna Religion

• The followers of Sarna faith believe pray to nature.
• The holy grail of the faith is “Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Zameen (land)” and its followers pray to the trees and hills while believing in protecting the forest areas.
• Jharkhand has 32 tribal groups of which eight are from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
• While many follow Hindu religion, some have converted to Christianity — this has become one of the planks of demanding a separate code “to save religious identity”— as various tribal organisations put it.

 

Need for Sarna code:

• Decline in tribal population: In the last eight decades, the population percent of tribal people in the state has come down to 26.02 per cent from 38.03 per cent as tribals would migrate to other states for non-agricultural employment when the surveys would be carried out.
• Impact on the constitutional provisions : The basis for identifying an area as Schedule V is dependent on the tribal population. 
  • In 2019, there were demands of denotifying Schedule V areas where the tribal population has come down. 
  • The recognition of Adivasi Sarna code will address this problem.
• Environmental conservation: Sarna religion can teach a lot to a world facing problems such as pollution and environmental degradation.
• Tribal identity: It boosts the idea of recognising a unique religious identity of tribals to the special laws and provisions in the country.

 

Politics around the code

• Many of the tribals who follow this faith have later converted to Christianity—the state has more than 4% Christians most of whom are tribals.
• Some who still follow the Sarna faith believe the converted tribals are taking the benefits of reservation as a minority as well as the benefits are given to Schedule Tribes.
• They also believe that benefits should be given specifically to them and not those who have converted.

 

Objections to the move:

• The term Sarna is not common to all the adherers of a naturalistic religion based on worship of forests, rivers and mountains. 
• Equating the idea of a naturalistic religion with only the Schedule Tribe population is problematic. It should be open to all. 

 

 What sense does a separate code make?

• The protection of their language and history is an important aspect of tribals.
• Between 1871 and 1951, the tribals had a different code. However, it was changed around 1961-62.
• Experts argue that when today the entire world is focusing on reducing pollution and protecting the environment, it is prudent that Sarna becomes a religious code as the soul of this religion is to protect nature and the environment.

 

The Sarna dharam

• The Sarna dharam of tribals worshipped nature, forests, mountains.
• It is the idea of recognising a unique religious identity of tribals to the special laws and provisions in the country.
• Jharkhand has 32 tribal groups. Eight groups belong to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.’
• While many tribal groups follow Hindu religion, some have converted to Christianity.