[Answered] The Census’s omission of a column for Adivasi beliefs is argued to be unconstitutional. Critically analyze how this impacts tribal identity, religious freedom, and the principles of secularism and inclusive governance in India.

Introduction

India’s Scheduled Tribes (STs), comprising over 8.6% of the population, possess unique spiritual, cultural, and ecological worldviews. Yet, their exclusion from religious classification in the Census undermines constitutional principles and inclusive governance.

The Constitutional and Cultural Framework

India’s Constitution recognises the distinctiveness of tribal communities:

• Article 25 guarantees religious freedom.
• Article 26 protects the right to manage religious affairs.
• Fifth and Sixth Schedules provide special protections to tribal customs, especially in areas like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
• Articles 371A and 371B preserve customary laws and practices in Nagaland and Assam.

Despite this robust framework, the Census of India continues to record only six major religions—Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism—relegating all other systems of faith to a vague “Other Religious Persuasion (ORP)” category. This excludes Adivasi religious systems, which are predominantly nature-centric, animist, or ancestor-worshipping, such as Sarna, Gond, and Donyi-Polo faiths.

Impacts on Tribal Identity and Religious Freedom

1. Cultural Erasure and Misidentification: According to the 2011 Census, India’s ST population stood at 10.43 crore, but only 0.66% (79 lakh) were recorded under ORP. The lack of awareness and ambiguity around ORP compels Adivasis to identify as Hindus or Christians, diluting their distinct spiritual identity.
   In contrast, Jharkhand’s 2020 Assembly Resolution demanding Sarna be recognised as a separate religion saw 49 lakh individuals opt for the Sarna identity—highlighting that awareness and recognition matter.
2. Violation of Religious Freedom: By not recognising Adivasi religions, the Census may be violating Article 25, as tribal citizens are not allowed to formally assert and register their spiritual identity. This coerces many into affiliating with majoritarian religious categories, compromising their individual and collective rights.
3. Undermining Secularism: India’s secular fabric is based on equal treatment of all religions. Excluding indigenous belief systems marginalises non-Abrahamic, non-Vedic traditions that predate institutional religions. It violates the principle of neutrality in state-religion relations and fuels majoritarian assimilation narratives.

Broader Governance and Political Implications

1. The RSS-affiliated ghar wapasi campaigns, which aim to ‘reconvert’ tribals to Hinduism, are often legitimised by such Census omissions.
2. State coercion through school curricula (Eklavya Schools) and temple-building projects in tribal areas furthers a one-nation-one-culture agenda.
3. CSR-funded education often comes with ideological conditioning, threatening traditional knowledge systems and cultural autonomy.
4. This facilitates electoral co-option while weakening grassroots democratic assertion by tribal communities.

Recommendations for Inclusive Governance

1. Add a ‘Tribal/Adivasi Faith’ Column in the Census to formally acknowledge ST religious systems alongside the six major religions.
2. Sensitise enumerators and tribal citizens about their rights and options in religious self-identification.
3. Legally codify protections for tribal spiritual practices through state and central laws, reinforcing the constitutional vision.
4. Encourage documentation and research into tribal religions, languages, and rituals through academic and governmental institutions.
5. Resist homogenisation by reinforcing multiculturalism in education and policy frameworks.

Conclusion

The exclusion of Adivasi beliefs from the Census weakens secularism, distorts identity, and violates constitutional guarantees. Acknowledging tribal faiths is vital to realising India’s pluralistic and democratic ethos.