NEW DELHI (India): Tribal activists from different parts of the country are assembling at the historic Red Fort in Delhi on Sunday to demand that the government should bring a “delisting bill” to prevent tribal individuals who change their religion from getting benefits of Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
The issue has been debated in the tribal community for a long time. One section of the tribal community supports the “delisting”, saying those who change their religion no longer follow tribal customs and culture, and, therefore, should no longer be in the ST category. By contrast, another section says that removing such individuals from ST category would be unfair because they would still need support for progress.
Organizers of the rally claimed that over 1.5 lakh tribal representatives from over 500 tribal communities are expected to participate in the rally.
The demand for delisting has sparked a debate because it raises questions about reservation policy, religious conversion and the constitutional definition of tribal identity. Under India’s affirmative action framework, Scheduled Tribes receive benefits in education, government employment, electoral representation and welfare schemes.
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