Use of tribal attire by band parties irks Sarna Samiti

Tribal organisations, that had earlier protested against showing red border saree clad Mother Mary and holding Jesus Christ the way tribal women hold their babies in Jharkhand, are once again baffled. This time they are agitated due to use of red border sarees by some of the band parties, calling it an insult of their religious beliefs.

President of Kendriya Sarna Samiti (KSS) Phoolchand Tirkey said that they would take legal action if the band parties did not restrain from using their traditional attire to wear women holding lamps during marriage processions.

“We are not against the use of red border saree, which is an identity of tribal culture besides being a symbol of our religious belief in Jharkhand, but we are opposed to its commercial use for their benefits. It is nothing but an insult to our religious belief as tribal women wear red border saree at special religious occasions only,” said Tirkey. Besides that red border saree is also an identity of the tribal population and nobody will not be allowed to dilute its importance, he added.

“First, the band parties using it will be served notices by Kendriya Sarna Samiti and even if they do not restrain from using it, strict legal action will be taken against them by lodging complaints against them in court charging them of offending our religious sentiments,” said the president of Samiti. Such practices might instigate confrontations in future, he added.

A statue of Mother Mary wearing a red border sari and holding Jesus Christ in a way tribal women of Jharkhand hold their babies unveiled in a Church at Singpur village in Dhurwa had created controversies in the State Capital by Sarna Samiti alleging that the Christians were trying to establish Mother Mary as ‘Maa Sarna’ to confuse the people of Sarna community.

Referring to a mass marriage of the men and women of Sarna community being organized by KSS in June this year, Tirkey said that as many as 301 couples of poor and financially weak families will be tied in nuptial knots at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Khelgaon.

“Registration for the same will start from Monday for which anybody belonging to Sarna community can register at the head office of KSS at Line Tank Road in Ranchi. Interested men and women will have to bring an identity proof and income certificate with them to get themselves registered for it,” said Tirkey.