RSS’s Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Raises Tribal Conversion, Delisting Concerns After Meeting President Murmu & PM Modi

Last Updated:May 30, 2026, 02:39 IST

Satyendra Singh, president of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, told News18 that the PM heard their appeal and promised justice

The debate over delisting converted tribals and religious conversion has once again moved to the centre of India’s political and constitutional discourse, with RSS-affiliated Akhil Bhartiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram demanding legal restrictions on conversions and the delisting of the converted tribals from the reservation lists. A delegation of senior functionaries of the organisation met President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submitted a memorandum seeking redressal. Speaking with News18, Satyendra Singh, president of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, said, “The PM has heard our appeal and promised justice to us."

The core argument remains rooted in Article 341 of the Constitution. While Article 341 deals with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and restricts reservation benefits after conversion to Islam or Christianity, tribal groups argue that large-scale religious conversion among Janjati communities is creating demographic, cultural, and political imbalance in several regions. “Religious conversion in vulnerable tribal belts is not merely a local or religion-related issue; it has social, demographic, and national implications. It is also detrimental for national unity," said Singh.

“The Janjati community has its own distinct civilisational identity, which must be preserved," he added, while also pressing for a central anti-conversion law. However, the constitutional complexity remains, with anti-conversion laws largely falling under the domain of states. States like Chhattisgarh already have such legislation in place.

The demand is now threefold. “First, a clear statutory definition of ‘Scheduled Tribe’ in line with the Lokur Committee criteria, updated to reflect present-day social realities. Second, a necessary amendment or clarification in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, to address the question of persons who have abandoned their traditional tribal faith, culture, customs, and way of life upon conversion, on the lines of the existing provision in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. Third, effective protection of the cultural identity and constitutional rights of tribal communities across India," said the statement released by the organisation.

The Great Nicobar Project Discourse

Simultaneously, another sensitive debate is unfolding thousands of kilometres away in Great Nicobar Island, where the mega infrastructure and transshipment port project has triggered environmental concerns as well as strategic discussions.

While environmentalists have flagged ecological risks, senior officials argue that India cannot afford to ignore the rapidly changing geopolitics of the Indian Ocean Region. Meanwhile, tribal society is a part of the current discourse too. “There are legitimate concerns around the project. But the Great Nicobar project is not merely an infrastructure project; it is a long-term strategic and national security necessity," said Singh while responding to a question by News 18. “With growing Chinese influence across critical maritime routes, policymakers believe India cannot remain dependent on foreign ports such as Colombo and Singapore indefinitely."

At the same time, there is growing emphasis on dialogue with indigenous communities. “Development and ecology should not be seen as opposites. The local tribal populations must be consulted before large-scale implementation begins," he added.

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