NEW DELHI: Demand for delisting, an exercise to identify those within the tribal society who have embraced any other religion is gaining momentum in the state of Jharkhand. Echoing support to the demand, the Kendriya Sarna Samiti (KSS) recently held a major sit-in in front of the Governor’s house in Ranchi.
The KSS following the protest, submitted their demands including an immediate ban on illegal conversion and protection of Sarna faith in a memorandum to Governor Santosh Gangwar.
The protest held on December 12 witnessed intense scene with KSS vice president and women’s wing president Nisha Bhagat tonsuring her head against illegal conversion of tribals and the benefits availed by the converted ones. Bhagat said that religious conversion is all time high in the state and the government has failed to stop it, adding that women are being insulted on the name of healing ceremonies.
Sharing the pictures of the protest on social media, Bhagat in a post wrote “Bhartiya democracy is incomplete without protection of tribal identity. Conversion needs to be stopped, delisting is a rightful demand of Jharkhand. Attack on democracy, tribal identity- delisting is must”.
“Adopting foreign religion by leaving Bhartiya culture is turning aways from tradition, beliefs and culture of one’s ancestor. Taking forward agendas of foreign missions on Bhartiya’s soil is against the interest of society and country. The demand for delisting is must to protect tribal identity, Sarna Dharma and constitutional rights. Its a battle of existence, identity, and self respect,” said Bhagat in another post.
Former CM Chamapi Soren raise concerns over dual benefits
Meanwhile former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Friday said that availing benefits reserved for STs and for minorities cannot go hand in hand.
“All the Church schools, colleges in Jharkhand describe themselves as minority institutions and take government benefits in lieu of this. The same people however, become STs while taking reservations, you cannot be on both sides simultaneously,” said the former CM in a post on X.
Demand for delisting
Tribals across the country have been hitting the streets demanding a nation wide delisting exercise to delist those who have left the customary practices of the society and embraced other religions but are still availing the benefits exclusively reserved for the tribal community.
Hundreds of rallies demanding to delist converted ones have been held across several states including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and north eastern states.
Members of tribals community had also organised a post card campaign under which letters were sent to Prime Minister’s office demanding the exercise.
The demand gained momentum in recent years with tribal leaders raising concerns over the misuse of reservation benefits by the converted ones, stressing that the benefit was reserved exclusively for the tribal community and those who have already left the customary practices by changing their religion should not be allowed to avail the benefits.
