Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren Demands Separate 'Sarna Dharma Code' in Census

Key facts

• Chief Minister Hemant Soren wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu demanding a separate 'Sarna Dharma Code'.
• Soren stated that the 2027 census would be incomplete without the Sarna code.
• The Sarna faith is an indigenous tribal religion practiced by many in Jharkhand.
• Currently, the census does not list Sarna as a separate religion, forcing adherents to be classified under other categories.
• Jharkhand has a significant tribal population, with over 26% of the state belonging to Scheduled Tribes.
• The demand for a Sarna code has been a long-standing political issue in the state.

A Demand for Recognition

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has escalated a long-simmering demand for official recognition of the Sarna faith, writing to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. In his letters, Soren argued that the upcoming 2027 census would be fundamentally incomplete without the inclusion of a separate 'Sarna Dharma Code' for enumeration. The Sarna faith is an indigenous religious tradition followed by many tribal communities in Jharkhand and across central and eastern India. Its adherents worship nature, including the sun, earth, and trees, and have long sought a distinct identity separate from Hinduism, Christianity, or other major religions. Soren's intervention comes as the state gears up for the next decennial census, which will shape policy and resource allocation for the following decade. He asserted that without a dedicated code, the census would fail to capture the true demographic weight of the tribal population.

The Chief Minister's Letters

In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Soren wrote, 'Without the Sarna code, the census is incomplete.' He urged the central government to amend the census classification to include the Sarna faith as a distinct religious category. A similar appeal was made to President Murmu, who herself hails from a tribal community in Odisha. The Chief Minister's move is seen as a direct challenge to the central government, which has so far resisted such demands. Previous governments, both at the state and national level, have been reluctant to create a separate code, citing concerns about fragmenting religious categories. Soren's letters were dated May 3, 2026, and were made public by his office the following day. They come amid a series of other significant events in the state, including a tragic air ambulance crash and ongoing political tensions.

Political and Social Stakes

The demand for a Sarna code is not new; it has been a rallying cry for tribal rights activists and political parties in Jharkhand for years. The state has a large tribal population—over 26% of its residents are classified as Scheduled Tribes, many of whom practice the Sarna faith. Currently, the census offers limited options for tribal religions, often lumping them under 'Other' or forcing adherents to choose between Hinduism and Christianity. This, activists argue, leads to an undercount of tribal populations and undermines their cultural identity. Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party has made the Sarna code a key plank of its platform. The issue also intersects with broader debates about land rights, forest rights, and political representation for tribal communities.

Timing and Context

Soren's letters were dispatched just days after a series of tragic events in Jharkhand. On Monday evening, a Beechcraft C90 air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd crashed in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, killing all seven people on board. The aircraft was en route from Ranchi to Delhi when it went down in a forested area. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a probe. Separately, five people were trampled by elephants in the state, including one who was recording a selfie near a roaming herd. These incidents have drawn attention to the challenges of governance in a state where development and wildlife coexist uneasily. Yet Soren's focus remains on the census. His letters also come as the state grapples with other crises: a cold wave has hit seven districts, with temperatures dropping below 10°C, and noise pollution spiked during Diwali, officials said.

Reactions and Implications

The Chief Minister's appeal has drawn mixed reactions. Tribal rights groups have welcomed the move, calling it a long-overdue step toward recognition. 'How long will tribals suffer?' Soren asked in a separate statement, vowing not to displace residents of the Saranda forest region. However, the central government has not yet responded publicly. Previous attempts to introduce a Sarna code have stalled in Parliament, with some Hindu nationalist groups opposing it on the grounds that it would divide the Hindu fold. The outcome of Soren's letters could have far-reaching implications. If the code is accepted, it would set a precedent for other tribal communities across India seeking similar recognition. If rejected, it could fuel further political mobilization in Jharkhand ahead of the next state elections.

What Comes Next

The ball is now in the court of the central government. The Census of India is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General, which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Any change to the list of recognized religions would require a decision at the highest level. Meanwhile, Soren is expected to continue pressing the issue. His party has planned a series of rallies and public meetings to build support for the demand. The issue is likely to feature prominently in the upcoming monsoon session of the state legislature. For now, the people of Jharkhand—particularly its tribal communities—wait for an answer. The census is still two years away, but the battle over identity has already begun.

The bottom line

• Chief Minister Hemant Soren has formally demanded a separate 'Sarna Dharma Code' for the 2027 census in letters to PM Modi and President Murmu.
• The Sarna faith is a nature-worshipping indigenous religion practiced by many tribal communities in Jharkhand.
• Currently, the census does not list Sarna as a separate religion, leading to undercounting of tribal populations.
• Soren's demand comes amid other crises in the state, including a fatal air ambulance crash and elephant attacks.
• The central government has so far resisted creating a separate code, but the issue remains politically potent in Jharkhand.
• The decision on the Sarna code could have national implications for tribal recognition and census classification.