Is the “Sarna Dharma code” irrelevant in politics? I must tell you that ‘Sarna or separate religion’ for tribal people is a political movement for including religious code in Census. It has nothing to do with the sarna spirituality movement.
Sarna spirituality term coined by several tribal groups in the 19th or early 20th century. Sarna doesn’t exist in any language of tribals. Such as Kurukhar (oraon people) usage of the “Chala Tonka” term for their worship place. Santhalis has Jaher Thaan, Manjhi Thaan.
It is believed that the Sarna word came from “Saunsar”. It is very interesting to know what the meaning of it is and how tribals accept this word for them.
The word “Saunsar” used to be used by missionaries (Group of people who came for Charity in tribal areas in the early 19th century and in favor they converted them). Actually ‘Saunsar’ word used to distinguish between Converted tribal and Non converted. Saunsar is another word for pagan, Pagan is a term that can refer to a person who is not religious or who worships multiple gods.
Later the Sarna word was adopted by tribals to refer to their worship center. Similarly Santhali converted christian also uses “bidin” word for non converted.
In the census of 1951 (Bihar-Ranchi), 1.5 lakh tribals mention their religion as Sarna.
Anti-Sarna mission has reached that level where the people are losing their worship place (in larger term worship place means their mountain, jungle, river and plane land).
It is hard to believe that many of them are silent who are used to demanding “Sarna Dharma code”. Is the Tribal religion code irrelevant for politics in a larger manner?
I believe that Tribal Spiritual shouldn’t have to participate in active politics. Like last time openly supported a particular Political party.
