Recognising Adivasi identity in the Census, Pg9

Context:

• The 2027 Census faces criticism not only for lack of clarity on caste data, but also for failing to recognize distinct Adivasi/Scheduled Tribe faiths—forcing their identities under dominant religions and undermining constitutional protections.

Key Highlights:

• ST communities demand recognition of their distinct spiritual systems in the Census.
• Current Census format forces STs to identify with major religions or an ambiguous ‘Other’ category.
• Constitutional provisions protect ST customs and religions, but these are bypassed in Census data.
• Hindutva campaigns are actively co-opting tribal identity into a larger Hindu framework.
• A separate religion column for ST faiths is essential to uphold democratic and constitutional rights.

Detailed Insights:

• The Census currently lists six major religions and one ambiguous category — ‘Other Religious Persuasion’ (ORP) — which fails to represent ST faiths.
• The Constitution protects ST customs and religious practices through Fifth & Sixth Schedules and Articles 25, 26, 371A, and 371B.
• Forcing Adivasis to identify as Hindus or Christians, or use ORP, violates Article 25’s guarantee of religious freedom.
• In the 2011 Census, while STs numbered over 10 crore, only 79 lakh (0.66%) were recorded under ORP, indicating widespread misclassification.
• Where informed mobilisation occurred — such as Sarna mobilisation in Jharkhand (49 lakh) or Gond registrations in MP (10+ lakh) — tribal identities were recorded more accurately.
• Lack of awareness about ORP among rural Adivasis leads to underrepresentation of their true spiritual beliefs.
• The RSS and affiliated organisations have intensified ‘ghar wapasi’ campaigns, rebranding Adivasis as “vanvasis” and linking them to Hinduism.
• Legal recognition as ST is based on socio-cultural criteria, not religion. 
• A single solution — a separate ‘Adivasi/ST Faiths’ column in the Census — is proposed to fairly represent over 700 diverse tribal communities.
• Recognizing ST religions in the Census is a form of resistance against cultural assimilation and essential for preserving India’s diversity.