At a time when the House-listing and Housing Census operations is slated to be conducted across the entire State from May 16 to June 14, 2026 and he on May 1 had launched the self-enumeration phase of Census 2027 in the State by recording his own details on the portal, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has picked up an old tribal identity issue- Sarna Dharm code.

Soren has written to the President, Prime Minister and Governor seeking inclusion of a separate Sarna religious code in the Census 2027.

In separate letters( enclosed with this story), Soren has urged the Union government to recognise Sarna as a distinct religious identity for tribal communities and provide a separate enumeration category in the Census 2027.

Soren writes,” A separate code for Sarna religion in the Census will ensure proper recognition of the tribal community’s religious identity.”

In his letter, the CM Hemant Soren has said the demand reflects the long- standing cultural and religious identity of tribal communities in Jharkhand and other states.
Soren has said that the Census collects data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, it does not provide a distinct column for Sarna religion, leading to gaps in representation.

The Chief Minister Hemant Soren has pointed out that the Jharkhand Assembly had earlier passed a resolution recommending recognition of a separate Sarna religion for the tribal community and the demand has been raised by tribal organisations.

In his letter, Soren has referred to constitutional provisions related to protection of tribal interests and governance of Scheduled Areas to underline the need for recognition of a separate religious identity of tribals. He urged the President, PM and Governor to take a considered view and make appropriate provisions in the upcoming 2027 Census process.

1. Letter to Honourable Prime Minister 👈

2. Letter to Honorable President 👈

3. Letter to Honorable Governor, Jharkhand 👈