Udaipur- In a new initiative led by Udaipur MP Dr. Manna Lal Rawat, village assemblies (Gram Sabhas) will now pass resolutions to deny tribal reservation benefits to families that have converted to other religions.

In a letter to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, MP Dr. Rawat emphasized the need for organizing special Gram Sabhas in the state. The agenda for these assemblies would include proposals to conduct cultural surveys of families who have abandoned their distinct tribal culture and embraced Christianity or Islam.

After these surveys, the Gram Sabhas will pass resolutions preventing such converted families from receiving the benefits reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Similar resolutions have already been passed in several Gram Sabhas across Madhya Pradesh.

Dr. Rawat explained that five criteria are established to identify Scheduled Tribes, which include primitive traits, distinct culture, geographic isolation, social shyness within the community, and economic backwardness. Based on these criteria, the state recognizes the Scheduled Tribes.

If any member falls outside any one of these criteria, in line with the objectives of the Constitution, they may be excluded from the Scheduled Tribe category. Therefore, converted members will not be entitled to the benefits of Scheduled Tribes.

The De-Listing Demand and Its Rationale: Excluding Converted Tribals from the ST List

In recent years, a demand has emerged within certain tribal communities to exclude individuals who have converted to Christianity or Islam from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. This push for "de-listing" is strongly advocated by Hindu nationalist organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Navagati Suraksha Manch. These groups argue that maintaining the independent existence of tribals, along with preserving their distinct culture, religion, language, and customs, is essential, especially as these communities are afforded special protections under the Indian Constitution.

However, the cultural and religious diversity within tribal communities across India has led to different interpretations of identity. Many tribals identify as nature worshippers, often described as followers of Adi Dharma, due to their deep connection with forests. While some tribal communities have practiced their traditional religions for centuries, others have adopted Hindu traditions, leading Hindu nationalist organizations to view them as part of the broader Hindu fold.

The issue of religious conversion has been particularly contentious in regions like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, where Christian organizations have been active for decades, and many tribals have embraced Christianity over generations. This has led to tensions, with Hindu nationalist organizations opposing conversions and advocating for the exclusion of converts from tribal reservations and benefits.

The demand for de-listing is not new. It was first raised in 1967 by Congress leader Karthik Oraon and even debated in Parliament, though it was later sidelined. The issue resurfaced with renewed vigor in 2006, when the Janjati Suraksha Manch was established under the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. This organization has since been at the forefront of pushing for the exclusion of converted tribals from the ST list, arguing that conversion leads to a loss of tribal identity and the dilution of the special rights granted to these communities.