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30 Dec 2025·Source: The Indian Express
2 min
Social IssuesPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Jharkhand School Survey Adds 'Other' Religion Category After Tribal Community Objections

Jharkhand adds 'Other' religion category to school survey after tribal groups protest exclusion.

Jharkhand School Survey Adds 'Other' Religion Category After Tribal Community Objections

Photo by Sonika Agarwal

The Jharkhand government has decided to include an 'Other' religion category in its school survey forms, following objections from tribal communities, particularly those who identify with Sarna Dharma. Initially, the survey forms only listed Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, and Jain, omitting the distinct religious identity of many tribal groups.

Tribal organizations argued that this exclusion undermined their unique cultural heritage and could lead to misrepresentation of their population. The addition of the 'Other' category is a significant step towards recognizing and respecting the diverse religious practices of tribal communities, addressing a long-standing demand for a separate Sarna religious code.

Key Facts

1.

Jharkhand school survey to include 'Other' religion category

2.

Decision followed objections from tribal communities

3.

Tribal groups identify with Sarna Dharma

4.

Initial survey forms excluded Sarna and other tribal religions

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Constitutional provisions related to religious freedom (Article 25) and cultural rights of minorities (Article 29, 30).

2.

The concept of secularism in India and its application to indigenous faiths.

3.

Administration of Scheduled Areas and tribal rights (Fifth and Sixth Schedules).

4.

Socio-cultural aspects of tribal identity, assimilation, and preservation.

5.

The role of Census and official surveys in religious classification and its implications.

6.

Historical context of tribal movements and identity politics.

Visual Insights

Jharkhand: Tribal Population & Sarna Dharma Demand

This map highlights Jharkhand, the state at the center of the 'Other' religion category debate, showing its significant tribal population and the location of its capital, Ranchi, a hub for Sarna Dharma recognition movements. It contextualizes the demand for a distinct religious identity.

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📍Ranchi

Evolution of Sarna Religious Code Demand & Recognition

This timeline traces the key milestones and developments in the long-standing demand for a separate Sarna Religious Code, culminating in the Jharkhand government's decision to include an 'Other' religion category in school surveys in 2025.

The demand for a distinct Sarna Religious Code reflects a deep-rooted desire among tribal communities, particularly in Jharkhand, to preserve their unique religious and cultural identity, separate from mainstream religions. This demand has been a recurring theme in tribal politics and has seen various legislative and protest actions over the past decades, leading to incremental recognition efforts by state governments.

  • 2010Jharkhand Assembly passes resolution for Sarna Code, sends to Centre.
  • 2011Census 2011 records 'Other Religions and Persuasions' category, which includes Sarna, but without a distinct code.
  • 2016Renewed protests and advocacy by tribal organizations for Sarna Code.
  • 2020Jharkhand Assembly again passes a resolution for Sarna Code, sends to Centre for Census 2021.
  • 2021-2024Continued advocacy, protests, and discussions with the Union government regarding the Sarna Code, especially in context of delayed Census 2021.
  • 2025Jharkhand government adds 'Other' religion category to school survey forms after tribal community objections, acknowledging distinct religious identity.
More Information

Background

The demand for a separate religious identity for tribal communities, particularly those following Sarna Dharma, has been a long-standing issue in India. Historically, many tribal communities have been categorized under 'Hindu' or 'Other' in official records, which they argue misrepresents their distinct animistic and nature-worshipping beliefs. This has led to movements advocating for a separate Sarna religious code to ensure their unique cultural and religious heritage is officially recognized.

Latest Developments

The Jharkhand government's decision to include an 'Other' religion category in its school survey forms is a direct response to these demands. This move, while not a separate Sarna code, is seen as a significant step towards acknowledging the distinct religious identity of tribal communities like those practicing Sarna Dharma. It addresses the immediate concern of misrepresentation in official data and reflects a broader push for recognition in the upcoming Census.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding Sarna Dharma and its recognition in India: 1. Sarna Dharma is primarily an animistic religion practiced by various tribal communities, predominantly in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region. 2. The demand for a separate Sarna religious code is primarily aimed at ensuring distinct identity in official records like the Census, separate from major religions. 3. The Indian Constitution explicitly defines 'religion' to include indigenous tribal faiths, thereby guaranteeing their protection under Article 25.

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is correct. Sarna Dharma is indeed an animistic religion, involving the worship of nature, practiced by tribes like Munda, Oraon, Ho, Santhal in the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Statement 2 is correct. The core demand for a separate Sarna code is to ensure their distinct religious identity is officially recognized in government documents, preventing their categorization under other major religions. Statement 3 is incorrect. While Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, the Indian Constitution does not explicitly define 'religion' to specifically include indigenous tribal faiths. Its interpretation has evolved through judicial pronouncements, but there is no explicit constitutional definition that automatically includes all indigenous faiths as distinct 'religions' for official categorization purposes, especially in the context of a separate code.

2. In the context of religious classification in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the 'Other Religions and Persuasions' (ORP) category in the Census?

  • A.The ORP category allows individuals to specify their religion, and these specific names are always tabulated and published separately in the Census reports.
  • B.The inclusion of an 'Other' category in official forms, like the recent Jharkhand school survey, is a step towards recognizing diverse religious practices beyond the six major religions.
  • C.Historically, the ORP category has been used to record religions other than the six major ones, including various indigenous tribal faiths.
  • D.Demands for a separate religious code, such as the Sarna code, often stem from the desire for distinct identity and accurate enumeration of specific religious groups.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement A is NOT correct. While the ORP category allows individuals to specify their religion, these specific names are not always tabulated and published separately if their numbers are small. They are often grouped under 'Other Religions and Persuasions' for statistical purposes, even if the specific name is recorded. This is precisely why communities like Sarna followers demand a separate code. Statements B, C, and D are correct. The 'Other' category helps acknowledge diversity, it has been used historically for non-major religions, and demands for separate codes are indeed for distinct identity and accurate enumeration.

3. Consider the following pairs: Religious Practice / Faith Associated Tribal Community 1. Sarna Dharma Munda, Oraon, Santhal 2. Donyi-Polo Adi, Galo, Nishi 3. Bathouism Bodo, Kachari Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  • A.1 only
  • B.1 and 2 only
  • C.2 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

All three pairs are correctly matched. Sarna Dharma is indeed practiced by Munda, Oraon, Santhal, and other tribes in the Chota Nagpur region. Donyi-Polo is an indigenous animistic religion of Arunachal Pradesh, primarily followed by tribes like Adi, Galo, and Nishi. Bathouism is the traditional religion of the Bodo-Kachari people of Assam and Northeast India, involving the worship of Bathou (a form of Shiva). This question tests knowledge of diverse tribal religions across India.

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