Tribe Suraksha Manch Organizes Rally Against Reservation for Converted Tribals
The Ulgulan Tribal Delisting Maharally in Ranchi draws attention to the debate on reservation benefits for converted tribals, with significant tribal participation.
RANCHI – The Tribe Suraksha Manch organized the Ulgulan Tribal Delisting Maharally at Morhabadi Ground in Ranchi on Sunday, witnessing substantial turnout from the tribal community across Jharkhand.
This rally focused on the contentious issue of individuals within the tribal community who have adopted Christianity or Islam, and their eligibility for Scheduled Tribe (ST) category benefits.
Padma Bhushan awardee Kadiya Munda stressed that those who have converted to Christianity or Islam should not be recognized as members of Scheduled Tribes, thereby not qualifying for reservation benefits.
This perspective is grounded in the belief that conversion leads to a departure from tribal beliefs and customs, which form the basis of ST identity.
Ganesh Ram Bhagat, National Convenor and former Minister, underscored the original intent of the Constitution makers in providing reservations and facilities for the upliftment of over 700 tribes in the country.
He expressed concern that the intended benefits are primarily claimed by those who have left their traditional tribal customs for Christianity or Islam, allegedly accounting for 80 percent of the beneficiaries.
This, according to Bhagat, deviates from the original purpose of the reservations, which were meant to support the development and progress of the tribal community adhering to their ancestral customs and beliefs.
The rally and its underlying concerns highlight a significant debate within the tribal community regarding the implications of religious conversion on tribal identity and the right to reservation benefits.
This issue has sparked discussions on the criteria for ST categorization and the need to preserve the rights of those adhering to traditional tribal customs.
