Sarna Code
The Sarna Code is a long-standing demand by indigenous tribal communities in India for the official recognition of their nature-worshipping faith as a separate religion in the Indian Census.
Currently, the census only has codes for six religions (Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism), forcing Sarna followers to list themselves under the "Others" column.
Core Beliefs of Sarna Faith
Followers of the Sarna faith worship nature, primarily sacred groves called Sarna, and do not practice idol worship or adhere to the Varna (caste) system.
- Their guiding principle is "Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Zameen (land)".
- The community performs rituals and prayers in these sacred groves, believing the village deity (Gram deoti) resides there.
Why is it Demanded?
The demand for a separate code is rooted in issues of distinct identity, cultural preservation, and preventing the erosion of the tribal population percentage.
- Distinct Identity: The code would formally acknowledge their unique religious and cultural identity, distinct from mainstream religions like Hinduism or Christianity.
- Preventing Conversion: Leaders argue that a distinct identity will help stop religious conversions and preserve their indigenous languages, history, and customs.
- Population Data Impact: Tribal leaders claim that the lack of a separate code leads to an inaccurate count in the census, which affects constitutional provisions and development policies framed for Scheduled Tribes.
Key Updates (Late 2024 - December 2025)
- Ongoing Political Debate: The demand for the Sarna Code remains a significant and contentious political issue, especially in states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Political parties, notably the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress, have accused the Central Government of deliberately stalling the resolution passed by the Jharkhand Assembly in 2020.
- Central Government Inaction: Despite resolutions passed by state assemblies and repeated pleas from tribal leaders to the Prime Minister and President, the Union government has not yet confirmed whether it will include a separate Sarna religion code in the next national Census.
- Protests and Agitation: Tribal outfits continue to mobilize large-scale protests to push their demands.
- In February 2025, the Rashtriya Adivasi Samnvay Samiti led a mass demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand the separate code.
- In May 2025, the JMM staged statewide protests and dharnas in Jharkhand, warning that they would not allow a caste-based census to proceed without the Sarna Code's recognition ("No Code, No Vote" slogan).
- Winter Session Discussion: The issue was actively debated on the first day of the Jharkhand Assembly's winter session in December 2025. State Minister Deepika Pandey Singh alleged a "planned conspiracy" by the central government to sideline tribal interests by proceeding with other revisions without the Sarna code.
- Ideological Conflict: The demand faces opposition from organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) which views tribals as part of the Hindu fold, creating an ideological hurdle to official recognition of a separate religious identity.
The primary barrier continues to be the Central Government's lack of action on the pending resolution, while tribal groups remain determined to secure formal recognition for their distinct nature-worshipping faith.
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