Sarna Faith Gains Momentum in Jharkhand Amidst Perceived failures of Conversion-Based Healthcare
Khunti District, Jharkhand – A resurgence of the indigenous Sarna faith is underway in Jharkhand, fueled by disillusionment with promised healing through religious conversion and bolstered by a growing assertion of Adivasi identity, notably following the November 2024 elections. Residents, like Binita Munda of Khunti district, who identify with Sarna beliefs, are increasingly questioning the efficacy of converting to other religions in pursuit of medical solutions, even for deeply personal needs like starting a family. This shift reflects a broader trend of “reconversion” and a renewed focus on the Sarna faith’s core tenets of harmony with nature.
The rising prominence of Sarna, which recognizes the sacredness of natural elements like mountains, rivers, and trees, comes as some Adivasi communities express disappointment with healthcare access received through conversion. While the 2011 census recorded over 4 million Sarna adherents, the faith’s influence is now extending into the political sphere, with Sarna groups credited with influencing election outcomes. This political leverage is being used to advocate for the preservation of Adivasi cultural identity and a rejection of external religious pressures, even as individuals grapple with personal hardships.
Bandhu Tigga, a Sarna priest in Mudma village, explains the faith’s central belief: “Since we pray to everything nature has to offer, many Adivasis are not opposed to praying to an idol when they are promised something in return.” However, he emphasizes his role in reminding communities that other religions are inherently political, contrasting them with Sarna’s focus on ecological balance. “Sarna is not; it is about being in harmony with everything around us,” Tigga says.
The trend of reconversion is exemplified by Sandeep Oraon of ranchi district’s Malti village, who returned to Sarna beliefs three years ago after thirteen years as a Christian. Oraon’s family initially converted after a local church claimed divine water would cure his mother’s paralysis – a claim that proved true. However, the family’s faith waned following his father’s death from an unidentified illness. “I just know that Jesus should have been kinder to us,” Oraon stated.
Former Jharkhand assembly member Bandhu Tirkey highlights the political implications of this religious shift. “This means we need to assert our own identity,” he says. ”We have to be ourselves, not Hindu or Christian.” The increasing visibility of the Sarna faith signals a growing demand for self-determination and culturally relevant solutions within Jharkhand’s Adivasi communities.
