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Context

The Bathou religion of the Bodo community received a separate code in the upcoming National Census.

What is the Bathou Religion?

Bathouism, the indigenous folk religion of Assam's largest plains tribe, the Bodo people, is centered on five key elements. 

The name "Bathou" comes from Bodo words meaning "five" ('Ba') and "deep philosophical thought" ('thou').

Core Beliefs: Bathouism is a monotheistic, nature-centric faith.

• It centers on the worship of a single supreme deity, Bwrai Bathou (also called Sibarai), who is considered the creator of the universe.
• The faith believes the universe was created from five fundamental elements (Panchatattva): Bar (air), Or (fire), Ha (earth), Dwi (water), and Okhrang (ether/sky).
• Traditionally, Bathouism does not involve idol worship. The divine is worshipped symbolically through nature.

The Central Role of the Sijou Plant: The Sijou plant (Euphorbia splendens) is the most sacred symbol in Bathouism.

• It is considered the living embodiment of the supreme god, Bwrai Bathou.
• Bodos plant the Sijou tree at the center of an altar, encircled by a bamboo fence with five knots or fastenings.
• These five knots represent the five core principles or bindings of life: birth, marriage/procreation, sorrow, happiness, and death. The plant's resilience symbolizes the immortality of the soul.

Significance of a Separate Census Code for Bathouism

Validating Identity

It officially recognizes Bathouism as a unique religion, preventing its followers from being miscategorized under generic "Other Religious Persuasion" (ORP) and acknowledging its distinctiveness from mainstream faiths like Hinduism.

Preserving Culture

This recognition is essential for safeguarding Bathou's unique cultural heritage, traditions, and rituals from the assimilative pressures of more dominant religions.

Accurate Demographics

A specific code ensures precise data on Bathou followers, crucial for government policy, resource allocation, and welfare programs for the Bodo community.

Upholding Constitutional Rights

This initiative aligns with India's secular principles and constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion (Article 25) and the right of communities to preserve their distinct culture (Article 29).

Empowerment and Pride

Official recognition strengthens the community's collective voice, promotes a greater sense of pride and belonging, and enhances their ability to advocate for their rights.

Setting a Precedent

This decision sets a strong precedent for other indigenous tribal religions in India, like Sarna Dharma in Jharkhand, which seek similar protective codes.

What Challenges Do Indigenous Religions Face in India?

Lack of Recognition

Most tribal faiths lack a separate religious code. This forces millions of Adivasis to identify as 'Hindu', 'Christian', or as 'Other', leading to an undercount and misrepresentation.

Threat of Assimilation

Without official recognition and support, indigenous belief systems are vulnerable to erosion from the cultural and religious practices of dominant faiths.

Data Gaps for Policy

The absence of specific data hinders the government's ability to create policies tailored to the unique needs of these distinct religious groups.

Homogenizing Pressures

There are often powerful narratives that attempt to subsume tribal religions within larger religious folds, which diminishes their unique heritage and identity.

Way Forward

The recognition of the Bathou religion is a commendable step. To build on this momentum, India should:

• Recognize Other Indigenous Faiths: Granting similar recognition to other genuine indigenous faiths, like Sarna Dharma, based on community demands.
• Promote Holistic Cultural Preservation: Implement schemes that support indigenous languages, traditional knowledge systems, art forms, and cultural festivals.
• Strengthen Legal Frameworks: Ensure that laws related to land, forest, and cultural rights adequately protect the unique practices of indigenous communities.
• Facilitate Community Participation: Involve tribal leaders and cultural organizations in policy formulation and implementation.

Conclusion

Granting a separate census code for the Bathou religion is a significant step in recognizing indigenous cultures. This should prompt a wider policy framework that supports all tribal communities, preserving their heritage in a diverse nation.

Source: ECONOMICTIMES