Guwahati, March 27: A massive rally was organized by the Janjati Dharma Sanskriti Suraksha Manch (JDSSM), Assam Pradesh, an indigenous tribal body, on Sunday, demanding the delisting of Converted STs who have abandoned their original tribal culture, customs, and rituals, way of life, and traditions after conversion.
The rally, called Chalo Dispur Bishal Janajati Gana Samavesh, was attended by over 55,000 tribal people from 30 districts of Assam, who were wearing traditional dresses and carrying folk musical instruments.
The JDSSM has also demanded an amendment of Article 342 for ST and equalization with Article 341 for Scheduled Caste. Under the proposed amendment, a person who converts to any other religion will be automatically removed from the SC reservation. The tribal body plans to send separate memorandums to the President and the Prime Minister of India via the Governor of Assam.
Speaking to reporters, Binud Kumbang, co-convener and working president of JDSSM, Assam Pradesh, clarified that the demands were not against any religion but for the protection of the indigenous culture. He also stated that the conversion was happening among poor people due to bribes and that the demand was to amend Article 342.
At the beginning of the program, tribal rituals were performed by the Bodo, Karbi, Tiwa, Dimasha, Rabha, and Mising tribes of Assam. The tribal body has been fighting for the protection and preservation of indigenous cultures in Assam.
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The issue of unethical conversions and the delisting of converted STs from the tribal list has been a long-standing debate in Assam. Tribal bodies in the state have been demanding stricter laws to prevent the conversion of tribal people to other religions.
In 2019, the Assam government proposed a bill that sought to prevent religious conversion through coercion or allurement. The proposed bill also had provisions for the delisting of converted STs from the tribal list. However, the bill was not passed due to opposition from various political parties and civil society groups.
The issue of conversion and delisting is a sensitive issue in Assam, where indigenous tribes have been struggling to preserve their cultures and traditions in the face of rapid modernization and development.
The tribal bodies argue that conversions are often done through force or allurement and that the converted STs have lost touch with their indigenous roots.
JDSSM’s demand for the delisting of converted STs and the prevention of unethical conversions has sparked a new debate in Assam. While the issue is complex and requires careful consideration, it is essential to find a solution that balances the need to preserve indigenous cultures with individual freedom of religion.
