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Source: The post is based on the article “Jharkhand CM writes to PM, seeks recognition of Sarna religious code for tribals” published in “Indian Express” on 28th September 2023.
What is the News?
Jharkhand Chief Minister has written to the Prime Minister seeking recognition of the ‘Sarna’ religious code for tribals.
What is Sarna religion?
Followers of Sarna faith regard themselves as belonging to a distinct religious group.
They are nature worshippers.The holy grail of the Sarna faith is “Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Zameen (land)”.
The followers of Sarna faith pray to the trees and hills while believing in protecting the forest areas.
Believers of Sarna faith do not practice idol worship, nor do they adhere to the concept of the Varna system, heaven-hell, etc.
The followers are largely concentrated in the tribal belt states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
What are Sarna faith people demanding?
Sarna followers are demanding to include ‘Sarna’ as a separate religion for indigenous people in the next census.
A separate ‘Sarna’ code in the census is the key to a distinct identity for tribals as without it, they are classified as Hindus or Muslims or Christians.
How will Sarna’s recognition as a separate religion help?
Recognition as a separate religious community will enable better protection of their language and history.
