Former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Karia Munda asserted on Sunday that members of tribal communities who convert to other faiths should lose their reservation rights and be delisted from their original tribe. Speaking at a rally organized by the Janhit Suraksha Manch in Mumbai, Munda expressed concern over the significant number of converted tribals availing maximum reservation benefits. He emphasized that applying the same principle as for Schedule Caste converts would protect the original tradition and culture of tribals.
“The population of adivasis (tribals) across the country is eight crore, of which 80 lakh are Christians and 12 lakh Muslims. Almost equal numbers of tribals secretly practice Christianity and Islam. The adivasis are entitled to only 3.5 per cent reservation. Maximum quota is availed by these converted adivasis. There is growing concern,” stated Munda during the rally that stretched from Shivaji Park Dadar to Jamboree Maidan in Worli.
Munda stressed the need for a policy similar to that for Schedule Caste converts, asserting that it would safeguard the original tradition and culture of tribals. Santosh Jarmate from the Janhit Suraksha Manch highlighted the substantial number of unregistered converts among the 2.5 crore adivasis in Maharashtra. The rally concluded by adopting a resolution, reinforcing the demand not to categorize converted individuals as adivasis.
