Assam: Tribal outfit calls for rail blockade demanding recognition of Sarna religion in Kokrajhar

Tribal organizations in Assam's Kokrajhar district are intensifying their efforts to have the Sarna religion recognized as a separate religious code. 

The Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan, a prominent tribal group with a presence in Jharkhand, Odisha, Bengal, Bihar, and Assam, has been at the forefront of this movement and has called for a Bharat Bandh on December 30. 

On the same line, the tribal groups here have threatened to implement a rail blockade as a form of protest, particularly emphasizing the significance of this action in Kokrajhar, Assam.

Tribal groups argue that their unique cultural practices, including rites related to birth, marriage, and death, differ significantly from those observed by Hindus. For instance, they conduct a special bhumi puja to give thanks for a new birth, and their marriage customs do not involve dowry or 'tilak'. These differences underscore their demand for recognition of Sarna as a separate religious entity.

Also Read: Assam: Speeding truck crushes man to death on National Highway in Kaliabar

Speaking to the media one of the protestors said, "Today the entire country under the Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan have called for Bharat Bandh demanding recognition of Sarna religion. We are not Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian...we have been forced to convert to other religions, hence we demand fast implementation of Sarna religion."

Further, the protestors claimed that in the other parts of the country, all the Adivasi people have been granted ST, however, the same has not been given to the tribals of Assam.

The Sarna religion, also known as "Sarna Dharma" or the "Religion of the Holy Woods," is considered the largest tribal religion in India. It is an indigenous faith practised by tribal communities that revere natural elements such as mountains, forests, and wildlife. The followers of Sarnaism worship in sacred groves called Jaher and are led by village priests known as Naike. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has recommended that Sarna be given an independent category in the census religion code, acknowledging its distinct identity from mainstream Hinduism.

The push for recognition gained political traction when the Jharkhand Assembly passed a resolution on November 11, 2020, supporting the demand for a separate religious code for Sarna. This movement has also received attention in West Bengal, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has acknowledged the merit of the demand and promised legislative support.

The tribal outfits' campaign includes various forms of protest, such as 'rail roko' demonstrations, to draw attention to their cause. They have also reached out to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to use her constitutional powers to address their demands.