Ulgulan Tribal Delisting Maharally in Ranchi Challenges Religion Converts’ ST Status
Speakers at the Ulgulan Tribal Delisting Maharally in Ranchi urge a reevaluation of Scheduled Tribe status for individuals who have adopted Christianity or Islam, arguing that these converts are unfairly benefiting from ST reservations.
RANCHI – At the Ulgulan Tribal Delisting Maharally held in Ranchi, prominent voices from the Tribal Security Forum voiced a unified stance against including Christian and Muslim converts in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
Ganeshram Bhagat, the National Convenor of the Forum and a former minister, highlighted the constitutional provisions for over 700 tribes, stressing that converts to Christianity or Islam have been disproportionately availing these benefits, to the detriment of native tribal communities.
Rajkishore Hansda, National Co-Convenor of the Forum, emphasized the need for government action to exclude these converted individuals from ST reservations. This view aligns with the late Karthik Oraon’s presentation to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, advocating that conversion to Christianity or Islam should result in the loss of tribal identity and associated privileges.
Former Justice Prakash Singh Uike pointed out a constitutional parallel, noting that Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity or Islam lose their SC status under Article 341, suggesting a similar approach for tribal converts.
Additionally, Megha Oraon, President of Jharkhand Adivasi Sarna Vikas Samiti Dhurwa Ranchi, accused church-sponsored organizations of misleading the public about the delisting movement, asserting the tribal community’s awakening to this issue.
The rally also brought forth historical arguments, citing that converted Christians, labeled as Indian Christians in earlier censuses and legislations, have been unjustly benefiting from ST reservations for decades. This practice, deemed as constitutional encroachment, was highlighted as a significant concern for the 12 crore tribes living traditionally.
Call to Preserve Tribal Identity and Rights
The forum leaders and participants underscored the need to protect the integrity of tribal identity and rights, especially in the context of reservations. The discussion highlighted the long-standing misuse of reservations by converted Christians, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue to safeguard the interests of traditional tribal communities.
Historical Context of Reservation Misuse
The rally shed light on the historical context, indicating that converted Christians, often categorized as Indian Christians in past records, have been exploiting ST reservations since 1952. This misuse is seen as a constitutional infringement, necessitating immediate corrective action.
Future Implications for Tribal Communities
The Ulgulan Tribal Delisting Maharally marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the definition and rights of Scheduled Tribes. The outcomes of this rally could have significant implications for the future of tribal communities and reservation policies in India.
