Kolkata, 11 December 2025:
All India Trinamool Congress MP Samirul Islam today renewed his demand for official recognition of the Sari and Sarna Dharam, the traditional nature-worshipping faith followed by millions of Adivasi people across India. Raising the issue publicly, Islam said that despite long-standing practice and deep cultural roots, the Central Government has yet to grant formal religious recognition to this faith group.
According to Islam, communities such as the Santal, Bhumij, Munda, Kora, Lodha, Sabar, Orang, Birhor, Mecha, Rava, Lohara, Mahali, and Chik Baraik—along with a significant section of the Kurmi population in West Bengal—have preserved these nature-centric traditions for generations. He emphasised that Sari and Sarna Dharam represents a unique Indigenous worldview, centred on forest, land, water, and ancestral worship.
Islam reminded that the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had already passed a resolution on 17 February 2023 recognising Sari–Sarna Dharam as a distinct religion. The resolution was forwarded to the Centre on 27 February 2023, but, he said, “no action has been taken so far.”
Calling out the inaction, Islam said,
“The Constitution guarantees every Indian the fundamental right to practise their religion. Lakhs of Adivasi families continue to uphold Sari and Sarna Dharam with devotion, yet their identity remains unrecognised by the Union Government.”
He urged the Central Government to respond to the resolution without further delay and acknowledge the “long-denied constitutional and cultural rights of Indigenous communities” by granting official recognition to Sari and Sarna Dharam ahead of the next Census.
