Tribals want converts out of ST list, plan Delhi stir
Tribals demand exclusion of converts from ST list, planning a demonstration in Delhi to protest and emphasize their identity concerns.
In a significant development, thousands of tribals from various parts of the country are anticipated to assemble in the national capital in February, rallying under the banner of Janjati Suraksha Manch (JSM). The primary demand of this gathering is the exclusion of converted tribals from the Scheduled Tribes' list. This nationwide campaign has gained momentum with the backing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other Hindu groups.
On Christmas Eve in Ranchi, around 5,000 tribals took to the streets in a collective display of support for the cause. JSM, acting as the organizing forum, aims to unite Hindu tribals on a common platform for this campaign. The core contention revolves around the belief that tribals who have converted to Christianity receive benefits from the Scheduled Tribes' status, which the campaigners find objectionable.
The percentage of tribals who have embraced Christianity has become a focal point in this discourse. The JSM asserts that the benefits afforded to converted tribals under the Scheduled Tribes category should be reevaluated. This mobilization reflects a larger narrative driven by concerns about the recognition and privileges granted to tribal communities based on their religious affiliations.
With the active involvement and support of the RSS and other Hindu organizations, this campaign gains prominence in the broader context of identity politics and religious dynamics in India. The demand for the removal of converted tribals from the Scheduled Tribes' list underscores the complexities surrounding religious conversions and their implications on social and political structures.
As the JSM prepares for the national convergence in February, it brings to the forefront a dialogue that transcends regional boundaries, uniting tribals from diverse backgrounds under a common cause. The outcome of this movement will likely have ramifications on policies related to tribal identity and representation in India, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the country's sociopolitical landscape.