Rajya Sabha MP demands inclusion of Kurmali Rajbanshi Kamtapuri in 8th Schedule

New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) AITC member Samirul Islam on Thursday urged the Centre to include Kurmali, Rajbanshi, and Kamtapuri languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and accord recognition to Sarna and Shari religions practised by tribal communities.
     Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the West Bengal MP said Kurmali is spoken by the majority of the Kurmi community in Jangalmahal districts, especially Purulia, Jhargram, Bankura, and West Midnapore.
     "Apart from West Bengal, the Kurmi community is present in Assam, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee approved the Kurmali language in the Legislative Assembly in 2018," Islam said.
     He said the state government also created the Kurmi Development Board and inaugurated the Kurmali Language Literature Academy in Purulia during a World Congress.
     The MP said people of the Rajbanshi community in northern West Bengal districts, particularly Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Dinajpur, and Malda, predominantly speak Rajbanshi and Kamtapuri languages.
     "Apart from West Bengal, people of the Rajbanshi community are present in Assam, Meghalaya, and Bihar," he said, adding that the West Bengal government approved both languages in the Assembly in 2018 and created the Rajbanshi Development Board and Rajbanshi Language Academy Board.
     Islam said the state government established schools in 2010 where Rajbanshi and Kamtapuri languages are taught.
     Highlighting another issue, the MP said tribal people across the country follow the Sarna and Shari religions, which are their primary faiths.
     "In West Bengal, people from Santhal, Gumuz, Munda, Kora, Lodha, Oraon, Sabar, Bhumij, Mech, Limbu, Rabha, Kariya, Mahali, Chik Baraik and other communities worship Shari and Sarna religions," he said.
     The Chief Minister gave recognition to these religions in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 2023, he added.
     "According to the Constitution, every person has the right to religious freedom and belief. I request the central government to recognise Shari and Sarna religions practised by tribal people who have been living in India for many years," Islam said.
     He said the West Bengal government has repeatedly written to the Centre seeking updates on recognition of these religions but has received no response.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)