On Tuesday, addressing an election rally in Jharkhand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made significant promises by reiterating the party’s Lok Sabha election 2024 manifesto.
What were the promises?
Implementation of the Sarna Code
Rahul Gandhi promised that upon gaining power at the centre, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc would implement the Sarna code, the legislation highly demanded by tribals for decades.
“It has been the demand of the tribals, and after coming to power, we will ensure that the Sarna dharma code is granted to the tribals,” said Rahul at the Jharkhand rally.
Further, Rahul promised that the code would give the original settlers the first right over jal (water), jungle (forest), and jameen (land).
According to the 2011 census, Jharkhand constitutes over 26 per cent of the tribal population, consisting of five ST-reserved Lok Sabha seats out of a total of 14. Additionally, the majority of tribals in Jharkhand are Sarna followers and nature worshipers.
Earlier in March this year, thousands of tribals from Jharkhand and other states held a mega rally demanding that ‘Sarna’ be included as a separate religion for indigenous people in the next census. The rally participants threatened to boycott the 2024 Lok Sabha polls if the demand was not met before the general elections.
Rahul attacking its opponent BJP, said “PM insulted President Murmu, a tribal, by not inviting her to the new Parliament building inauguration and Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya.” This is a “betrayal to the tribals” he added.
He further reiterated that this Lok Sabha election is for “saving the Constitution and the rights of tribals, poor and backward, he said I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders were ready to sacrifice their lives to save the Constitution.”
What is the Sarna Code?
‘Sarna’ followers are nature worshippers who fight for a separate religious identity. The code would refer to the religious and cultural practices of Sarna followers.
Importance of Sarna Code
A separate code would give the Sarna followers a distinct identity for tribals, as without it, they are classified as Hindus, Muslims, or Christians.
Other promises made
In addition to the promise regarding the code, Rahul Gandhi said that the Agnipath scheme would be abolished if voted to power. He alleged that it was initiated by PM Narendra Modi and not by the Army. 
Gandhi said, “We do not want to differentiate between martyrs. Anyone sacrificing for the nation should be attributed martyr status and should be given a pension.
Promising to amend GST, Rahul said “The BJP government implemented the wrong GST schemes with five tax slabs. We will amend it and make one tax slab, which will be the minimum. We will reduce the tax burden on the poor.”
