Ranchi, August 29,2026: The debate over delimitation and the demand for a separate Sarna Dharma Code option in the census has intensified in Jharkhand, with the Adivasi Chhatra Sangh announcing plans for protests and warning of a wider agitation if its demands are not addressed.
The organisation has announced that it will oppose both the census and delimitation process if a separate Sarna Dharma Code option is not provided in the census.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Sushil Kumar Minz, central convener of the Adivasi Chhatra Sangh, alleged that the absence of a separate tribal religion code could affect the recording of the tribal population and, in turn, have implications for political representation and reservation.
These claims are the position of the organisation and have not been independently established.
Organisation links Sarna Code demand with delimitation
Minz claimed that there is a direct connection between the demand for a separate tribal religion code and the delimitation process.
According to him, tribal people who follow nature-based traditions are being recorded under the Hindu religion category in the absence of a separate code, which he alleged could lead to an undercount of the tribal population.
He demanded a Sarna Dharma Code for tribal communities, arguing that a separate code should be available in the same way as separate religion codes exist for Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Jain communities.
Minz also said that the demand for a tribal religion code has already been raised with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
‘No Sarna Code, no census; no census, no delimitation’
The Adivasi Chhatra Sangh has announced a series of programmes against the delimitation process and in support of the Sarna Dharma Code.
Under the slogans “No Sarna Dharma Code, no census” and “No census, no delimitation,” the organisation has announced a Maharally from Gumla on September 18 to press for the religion code and oppose delimitation.
Minz said the organisation would oppose any delimitation bill passed by the BJP-led government in Parliament.
National tribal culture programme planned in Ranchi
The organisation has also announced an All India Tribal Culture Programme at Morabadi Maidan in Ranchi on September 13 and 14.
Representatives from different states are expected to participate in the programme. According to Minz, the gathering will seek to build consensus among representatives on the Sarna Dharma Code and delimitation issues before expanding the protest nationally.
The organisation has also said it is preparing for a Bharat Bandh and economic blockade.
A larger rally has been announced at Morabadi Maidan, Ranchi, on October 4, where the organisation plans to decide on an intensified agitation.
The proposed programmes and the organisation’s calls for a bandh and economic blockade are announcements by the Adivasi Chhatra Sangh. The source material does not provide details of any government response to these demands.
