Udaipur, April 16: The issue of tribal identity and recognition took center stage in Udaipur on Thursday, as Congress MLA Ganesh Ghoghra publicly declared, “Tribals are neither Hindu, nor Muslim, nor Christian; we have our own distinct identity.” This statement reignited the long-standing demand of the tribal community for a separate ‘tribal religion code’ in the upcoming 2026 census.
Hundreds of tribal community members gathered outside the divisional commissioner’s office, raising their voices to protect their identity, culture, and rights. The rally was led by MLA Ganesh Ghoghra, who emphasized that the lifestyle, worship practices, and traditions of the tribal community are entirely different from those of other religions, making it unjust to categorize them under any other religious classification.
“Tribals are nature worshippers,” Ghoghra stated during the demonstration, highlighting that their culture is deeply connected to water, forests, and land. He warned that if the government fails to recognize their distinct identity, it could jeopardize the cultural heritage and traditional rights of the tribal people in the future.
Citing historical precedents, Ghoghra noted that from 1871 to 1951, tribals were counted under a separate religious category and assigned code number 9, a practice that was later discontinued. He questioned why a separate code could be granted to Jainism, yet millions of tribals are denied this right.
Protesters issued a warning that if a separate religion code is not provided in the 2026 census, they will escalate their movement. Community representatives submitted a memorandum to the divisional commissioner, urging the central government to address their demands. This protest signals that the tribal community is prepared to fight decisively for their identity.