RECOGNISING ADIVASI IDENTITY IN CENSUS

Syllabus:

GS-2: ● Vulnerable Section of society ● Issues related to SCs and STs

Why in the News?

The gazette notification for the 2027 Census lacks clarity on caste enumeration. More importantly, the long-standing demand of Adivasi communities for recognition of their distinct faiths in the Census remains unaddressed. This issue is vital for ensuring constitutional rights and resisting cultural assimilation of indigenous peoples, particularly in light of their unique ethnic identity and connection to natural resources.

CENSUS CURRENT RELIGIOUS STRUCTURE

• Six religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism are explicitly recognised in Census religious demography.
• ORP ambiguity: ‘Other Religious Persuasion’ (ORP) is the only generic column for all other faiths without specific identification. This ORP category fails to adequately represent the diversity of indigenous faith systems.
• ST exclusion: No separate recognition exists for ST faiths or tribal religion, despite their distinct spiritual traditions and religious systems, such as Sarna Dharam and other forms of nature worship.
• Misrepresentation risk: Indigenous communities are often forced to misidentify with mainstream religions or get lost in the ORP ambiguity, leading to social exclusion and erosion of tribal identity.
• Cultural invisibility: This systemic omission undermines the visibility and legitimacy of Adivasi religious identities, hampering efforts to protect their cultural rights.

WHAT IS CENSUS IN INDIA?

• Basic statistics: Provides data on human resources, demography, culture, and economic structure at local, regional, and national levels.
• Historical background: First conducted in 1872 (non-synchronous); first synchronous census held in 1881 under British rule by W.C. Plowden.
• Frequency: Conducted every 10 years (decadal).
• Responsible authority: Conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.

LEGAL / CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS OF CENSUS IN INDIA

• Constitutional backing: Listed in Union List (Entry 69), Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• Statutory provision: Governed by the Census Act, 1948.

VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

• Article 25: Guarantees freedom of religion, including practice and propagation of faith—applicable equally to tribal communities and their indigenous faith practices.
• Articles 371A & 371B: Protect customary laws and practices of Nagaland and Assam, reflecting wider intent to preserve indigenous identity.
• Fifth and Sixth Schedules: Mandate protection of ST beliefs, customs, and traditions across various Indian regions. The Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule are particularly crucial for safeguarding Adivasi communities’ rights and ethnic identity.
• Legal misalignment: Current Census format conflicts with these constitutional mandates on religious freedom and indigenous rights, particularly in terms of data collection methods.
• Forced assimilation: Denial of Census recognition compels STs to adopt other religious labels, eroding ethnic movements and tribal status.

2011 CENSUS DATA DISTORTION

• Low ORP numbers: Only 0.66% of India’s tribal population marked ORP in 2011 Census, a gross under-representation of nature worshippers and followers of indigenous faith systems.
• Misidentification pressure: Vast majority of indigenous communities compelled to register under dominant religions due to lack of clarity, undermining their religious identity.
• Jharkhand example: Sarna mobilisation led to 49 lakh ORP registrations specifically as Sarna faith in Jharkhand, demonstrating the importance of recognizing Sarna Dharam.
• Madhya Pradesh: Gonds mobilised over 10 lakh registrations under Gond faith through informed community effort, showcasing the potential for tribal recognition when communities are empowered.
• Awareness matters: Where tribal leaders inform communities, faith identity is properly recorded, highlighting the need for greater political voice for Adivasi communities.

POLITICAL CONTEXT OF ASSIMILATION

• RSS strategy: Systematic effort to Hindutva-align ST communities through cultural and religious assimilation, challenging the preservation of indigenous identity.
• Targeted campaigns: Attacks on Christian converts and ‘ghar wapasi’ campaigns push for ideological alignment, undermining the diversity of tribal identity.
• Ritual reengineering: Tribal rituals blended with Hindu practices; sacred spaces used for Hindutva projects, altering traditional nature worship practices.
• Educational influence: RSS-run schools and Eklavya Residential Schools promote Hindu customs over ancestral traditions of forest dwellers, potentially eroding ecological identity.
• Corporate complicity: CSR funds channelled into schools facilitating cultural transformation in ST areas, often at the expense of traditional Adivasi communities’ values.

DOUBLE STANDARDS ON RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

• Selective exclusion: Converts to Christianity face demands for ST status denial; Hindu converts retain recognition, highlighting inconsistencies in tribal status determination.
• Hypocrisy exposed: Scheduled Tribe status framed around religious allegiance, violating constitutional equality principles and ignoring the complexity of indigenous faith systems.
• Legal clarity: Religious practice is not a criterion for ST recognition—status depends on broader social factors and ethnic identity.
• Political narrative: Hindutva discourse pushes homogenisation under the false banner of ‘One nation, one culture’, threatening the diverse religious identity of vanvasis.
• Core RSS agenda: Overarching project aimed at dismantling India’s pluralistic tribal identities, challenging the foundations of eco-nationalism among Adivasi communities.

DIVERSITY WITHIN ST COMMUNITIES

• 700 recognised ST communities: Represent immense cultural, linguistic, and spiritual diversity across India, embodying a rich tapestry of indigenous identity.
• Rich heritage: Tribal communities embody one of India’s most vibrant expressions of civilisational diversity, deeply connected to natural resources and traditional forest rights.
• Resistance movements: Rising opposition to assimilationist policies from grassroots Adivasi movements, asserting their unique cultural rights and ecological identity.
• Faith recognition demand: Push for inclusion in Census forms a key part of identity assertion for nature worshippers and followers of Sarna Dharam.
• Cultural preservation: Census recognition essential to protect and nurture Adivasi traditions for future generations, safeguarding their indigenous faith practices.

NEED FOR SEPARATE COLUMN IN CENSUS

• Jharkhand resolution: 2020 resolution demanded a separate Sarna column in Census; no Centre response yet, highlighting the ongoing struggle for tribal recognition.
• Broader relevance: Demand transcends state boundaries—requires national solution for all tribal communities, addressing the needs of diverse Adivasi communities.
• Proposed solution: Introduce ‘Adivasi/ST Faiths‘ column alongside six major religions in future Census, moving beyond the limitations of the current ORP category.
• Democratic imperative: Political parties and tribal organizations must pressure government to implement this essential reform, amplifying the political voice of tribal leaders.
• Constitutional alignment: Inclusion will strengthen democracy and uphold constitutional rights of indigenous peoples, particularly those protected under the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule.

CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTATION

• Political resistance: Hindutva-aligned forces oppose distinct Adivasi identity recognition, complicating efforts to preserve indigenous faith systems.
• Lack of awareness: Many tribal communities unaware of ORP or the Census registration process, hindering accurate data collection on religious identity.
• Institutional inertia: Bureaucratic delays and reluctance in responding to state recognition efforts, particularly for Sarna Dharam and other indigenous faith practices.
• Funding barriers: Insufficient resources for awareness campaigns and community mobilization, limiting the ability of tribal leaders and tribal organizations to advocate for their communities.
• Social fragmentation: Attempts to divide ST communities along religious or political lines, undermining collective efforts for tribal recognition.

WAY FORWARD FOR RECOGNITION

• Community mobilisation: Strengthen grassroots awareness about Census faith registration, empowering Adivasi communities and tribal organizations to assert their religious identity.
• Legal advocacy: Push for judicial intervention to enforce constitutional provisions, particularly those outlined in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule.
• Political consensus: Build cross-party support to depoliticize Adivasi identity recognition, ensuring a stronger political voice for tribal leaders.
• Curriculum reforms: Promote inclusive education on Adivasi traditions and beliefs, fostering greater understanding of nature worship and eco-nationalism.
• Policy implementation: Ensure future Census fully aligns with constitutional principles of religious freedom and accurately represents the diversity of indigenous faith practices.

CONCLUSION

The demand for Adivasi faith recognition in the Census is a fundamental issue of justice, identity, and democracy. Indigenous communities are resisting the homogenising pressures of Hindutva and asserting their distinct spiritual and cultural heritage. A separate column for ST faiths in Census 2027 will be a significant step toward inclusive governance and affirmative action for tribal populations. This recognition is crucial not only for preserving ethnic identity but also for addressing issues of social exclusion and protecting the rights of nature worshippers and vanvasis. By acknowledging the unique religious identity and ecological identity of Adivasi communities, India can move towards a more inclusive and representative democracy that truly values its indigenous heritage and cultural rights. Tribal organizations play a vital role in this process, advocating for the recognition and preservation of Adivasi traditions in national frameworks like the Census.

UPSC MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

1. Discuss the importance of recognising Adivasi religious identities in national frameworks such as the Census. What are the constitutional, cultural, and political implications of this demand?