Demand to abolish ST status of those who convert to religion, noise from tribal community in Delhi

New Delhi. The demand to exclude people who have converted from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category now seems to be becoming a big movement at the national level. A huge gathering of tribal communities from across the country is taking place in the capital Delhi regarding this issue. Lakhs of tribals are being claimed to participate in this program organized under the banner of Tribal Security Forum on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda. This event being held at the historic Red Fort grounds of Delhi is not only being seen as a cultural gathering, but also as a decisive political message on the issues of tribal identity, reservation and religious change. At the heart of the program is the long-discussed delisting bill.

What is the demand for delisting?

Tribal organizations demand that those who have converted to religion and have separated from the traditional tribal culture, customs, deities and social system, should be excluded from the ST list. He says that the reservation and protection given to the tribal community in the Constitution was to protect their unique cultural identity and traditional lifestyle, and not to get permanent benefits even after changing their religion. Organizations allege that in the past decades, large-scale conversions were carried out in tribal areas through missionary activities. People were taken away from their roots by taking advantage of poverty, illiteracy and social backwardness. Now the feeling is getting stronger within the tribal society that those who have separated from their original traditions should not get the benefits of ST reservation.

People of tribal communities from all over the country including Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and North-Eastern states have reached Delhi to participate in this Mahasamagam. At many places, rallies were taken out with traditional costumes and musical instruments and people were sent to Delhi. Organizers claim that this could prove to be the biggest show of tribal strength in recent years.

Bigger participation than Chhattisgarh

Many prominent tribal leaders from Chhattisgarh including Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai have reached Delhi. State Cabinet Minister Ramvichar Netam said that there has been a systematic attack on the cultural heritage and religious traditions of the tribal society for a long time. He said that during the Congress rule, missionary institutions got patronage, due to which large-scale conversion took place in the tribal society. Taking advantage of the simplicity and economic weakness of the society, the traditions and beliefs of the people were changed. Ramvichar Netam said that now the time has come to draw a clear line within the society. It is not appropriate for those who have separated from the basic traditions and beliefs of the tribal society to get the benefit of ST reservation again.

Ideological and political debate intensified

However, this movement has also started a new ideological debate in the country. Supporters are calling it a fight to protect tribal identity, culture and constitutional rights. He says that if steps are not taken in time, the tribal society will lose its original identity.

What could be the impact in Chhattisgarh?

BJP is the ruling party in Chhattisgarh. In the last assembly elections, BJP had given ticket to Prabodh Minj from Lundra assembly seat. Lundra is a reserved seat for Scheduled Tribe category. Even during ticket distribution, there was opposition in a section associated with the organization against giving him tickets. Organization leaders had said that Minj had converted to religion, hence he should not contest elections from the seat reserved for Scheduled Tribe category. However, considering the local level equation, BJP gave ticket to Prabodh Minj and he also won. If the delisting bill that the tribal community is demanding is brought in the Parliament and is passed, faces like Prabodh Minj may be affected.

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