Agartala, December 17: The Joint Action Committee of Civil Society (JACCS) strongly rejects the recent demand put forth by the Janjati Suraksha Manch, Tripura (JSMT), which sought the delisting of converted individuals from the Scheduled Tribe category through a Constitutional amendment to Article 342 of the Indian Constitution.
In addition to opposing the JSMT’s call for delisting, JACCS, during a press briefing, refuted the allegations made by JSMT that converted Scheduled Tribes, particularly Christians, benefit from dual privileges as both Scheduled Tribe members and religious minority community.
JACCS dismissed claims that ST Christians are eroding traditional indigenous culture.
Jiban Debbarma, joint convenor of JACCS, emphasized the historically peaceful coexistence of Tipra indigenous people practicing Hinduism, Christianity, and Animism, without religious conflicts.
Debbarma further expressed concern that the JSMT’s move to delist Indigenous ST Christian people based on religion is unprecedented in Tripura and could potentially divide the indigenous Tipra people along religious lines.
Meantime, John Debbarma, a member of JACCS and a tribal student leader, highlighted India’s secular and democratic principles, asserting that citizens have the right to choose their beliefs and faith.
He clarified that a person’s conversion to another religion doesn’t automatically revoke their SC/ST status.
JACCS contends that ST Christians in Tripura do not enjoy dual facilities as both religious minority community and Scheduled Tribe, as they are excluded from the Religious Minority Community category.
Moreover, JACCS argued that there is no threat to the traditional culture of Tipra indigenous people based on their choice of religion.
